UAAP: NU eyes bounce-back win against UE

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UAAP: NU eyes bounce-back win against UE

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Action between National University and the University of the East in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 1, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media/FileAction between National University and the University of the East in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 1, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media/File

MANILA -- Defending champion National University looks to get back on track on Wednesday when they take on a still-winless University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs are already assured of a Final 4 spot but are coming off a stinging loss to Adamson University -- their second defeat of the tournament to a lower-ranked team.

At 9-2, they remain at the top of the league standings but reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen sounded the alarm after they dropped a four-set decision to the Lady Falcons.

Against a UE squad that has yet to win in 11 matches, Belen wants her team to show a greater sense of urgency and move closer towards claiming a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

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"Dapat huwag namin intayin na ibigay sa amin yung game. Dapat kami, kailangan namin gustuhin at kailangan namin kunin kasi parang opportunity din siya sa amin na hindi porket galing kami sa talo, hindi na kami capable manalo," said Belen after NU dropped a 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 22-25 decision to Adamson University last Sunday.

"Kailangan namin trabahuin yung game namin against UE kasi hindi siya magiging madali talaga kasi yung UE, palaban din sila kahit sabihin natin na winless -- marami sila pinahirapan na teams. Dapat kami, gustuhin namin yung game namin sa Wednesday para manalo," she added.

Alyssa Solomon, who was sorely missed in the Lady Bulldogs' defeat against the Lady Falcons, due to a mild ankle sprain, remains doubtful for Wednesday's match, as her timetable for an immediate return is still uncertain.

NU is holding a two-game cushion over Far Eastern University, which plays Ateneo at 3 p.m., and University of Santo Tomas, in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.

With a 7-4 record, the Lady Tamaraws not only gained the needed separation in the race for the No. 4 slot, but they also still have a clear shot of securing a twice-to-beat berth in the Final Four.

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Already much ahead of fifth-running University of the Philippines (5-6), FEU is just trailing No. 2 De La Salle (8-3) by just a game, as coach Tina Salak remains confident of her team's chances for a better ranking after the eliminations.

"Doon pa rin kami sa goal, every game na goal. Focus kami kung ano bang gameplan kasi hindi naman biro lahat ng teams ngayon. Lahat nag-iimprove this second round, ang laki ng inadjust din," said Salak after the Lady Tamaraws bested the Fighting Maroons, 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 last Sunday.

"Hindi rin namin pwedeng gawin na maging complacent sa standing namin. It’s because baka mawala rin sa amin. Kailangan naming panghawakan lahat ng games. Kailangan naming ipanalo yung games. Kailangan naming pagtrabahuan lahat ng skills and also dun sa mga videos na kailangan naming panoorin and aralin," she added.

Action between Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 2, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media/FileAction between Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 2, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media/File

The Blue Eagles, who are tied with the Lady Falcons in sixth place at 4-7, have lost two in a row and are three games out of the No. 4 spot. Another defeat will push Ateneo on the brink of missing the Final Four for the third straight season.

In the men's division, league-leading FEU seeks to secure the twice-to-beat incentive as it plays Ateneo at 11 a.m.

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With the Blue Eagles desperately seeking a victory after losing their last two matches to crash out of the Final Four range, coach Eddieson Orcullo wanted his Tamaraws to remain aggressive to prepare well for the tougher battles ahead.

"Yung Ateneo, sigurado pupukpok yan. I think magiging maayos naman yung takbo, huwag lang maging kampante sa galaw natin," said Orcullo as FEU aims to improve its 10-1 record.

The Blue Eagles are at 6-5 and are one game out of the No. 4 spot.

Five-peat-seeking NU, sitting in second place with a 9-2 record, seeks to formalize its entry to the Final Four and move on the cusp of claiming a twice-to-beat bonus, plays also-ran UE at 9 a.m.

Coach Dante Alinsunurin is satisfied to see the Bulldogs heading in the right direction after hitting some rough patches in their campaign.

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"Nagbago yung naging approach siguro namin ng coaching staff and players sa relationship namin kasi dahil doon, talagang nagkaintindihan na kami sa gusto naming mangyari," said Alinsunurin.

"Dati kasi, parang wala kaming direksyon, may kanya kanyang direksyon yung coach at players. Ngayon, mas nagkaintindihan na at mas nalinawan na sa gusto naming mangyari kasi 'yon yung importante dahil 'yon yung susi para mas gumanda pa yung performance namin," he added.


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