National University star Bella Belen in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media/Neo Garcia. MANILA — National University absorbed another upset loss in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.

Already holding a defeat against University of the Philippines, the Lady Bulldogs were shocked by Shaina Nitura and Adamson University, with the super rookie firing 32 points to take down the league powerhouse.

READ: Shaina Nitura fires 32 as Adamson shocks Solomon-less National U

“Hindi namin nagawa kung ano yung dapat naming gawin,” said NU star Bella Belen on what went wrong for the defending champions.

She also insisted that despite playing without Alyssa Solomon who was dealing with a minor left ankle sprain, that was not an excuse for National U.

“Hindi naman porket may isang hindi naglaro, hindi na namin kayang manalo,” she emphasized. “Kinulang talaga kami, kinapos talaga kami. ‘Di namin na-stop si Shaina, ‘di namin siya nagawan ng paraan at ang bagal naming mag adjust sa kung anong mga ginagawa nila.”

“Alarming siya for us,” Belen added. “Sabi ko sa kanila, yung mga teams na makakalaban namin, nothing to lose na. So kami, dapat lagi kaming ready.”

One silver lining for the two-time MVP and the Lady Bulldogs is they are already in the Final 4, and they are still in a good spot to defend their title equipped with a twice-to-beat advantage.

However, Belen insisted that this must urge them to enter their last three games hungrier than ever regardless of the records of their opponents.

“Niremind kami ng coaches na dapat hindi kami nagiisip na ibibigay samin ng madali, lalo na ‘pag yung kalaban namin is mga lower ranked teams,” she said.

“Dapat, sa next games namin, kung kaya naming i-dominate yung game, gawin namin.”

“Kailangan mas gutom kaming manalo. Kanina, kitang-kita na mas gusto ng Adamson manalo kaysa samin. Kailangan naming habulin yung twice-to-beat para ‘di kami mahirapan. At para hindi kami mahirapan, kailangan naming magtrabaho at magsipag pa,” the Season 87 MVP frontrunner added.