ONE might consider twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four as a safety net, but National University won’t let such a bonus lull the team into complacency as the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament reaches its highlight.
Even after completing a second-round sweep in style by beating semis-bound Far Eastern University in straight sets, MVP frontrunner Bella Belen and returning head coach Norman Miguel are well-aware of the risks embedded in a position where overconfidence could lead to their downfall.
Miguel simply demands an all-out approach from the Lady Bulldogs — one that he hopes to be unrelenting enough to get the job done in just one semifinals match.
READ: SCENARIOS: NU has inside track on Top Two, but a playoff can still happen
“Malaking bagay ‘yung twice-to-beat advantage. But then, para sa’min, we don’t look at it na may ganun kaming advantage. Kailangan talaga starting Game One, talagang all-out na kami to finish the game (sa Final Four),” the NU head coach said.
“Pag-tatrabahuhan naman talaga namin ‘yung (Final Four) so para sa’min, regardless of the advantage, hindi na namin siya iniisip. Tatapusin kaagad (namin ‘yung series) kung pag-tatarabahuhan at mag-peperform kami ng 100 percent and win Game One,” he added.
Belen, meanwhile, denied the notion of twice-to-beat advantages as a free pass for top-seeded teams to simmer down and take it easy. This, while carrying the hope that it won’t come to a point in which they’ll have to rely on their incentive just to clinch what could be their third Finals appearance in as many seasons.
“Kapag naririnig kasi ‘yung twice-to-beat, parang nakaka-gaan siya sa feeling ng mga players. Pero sabi nga ni Coach (Norman Miguel), hindi dapat kami umabot sa point na magamit namin ‘yung twice-to-beat kaya kailangan, unang semis game pa lang, dapat all out na talaga kahit twice-to-beat kami and dapat hindi kami humantong doon,” said Belen.
“Maganda lang siyang pakinggan sa mga players na ‘ay ang sarap sa feeling na twice-to-beat tayo,’ kasi parang may support na nangyayari pero hindi na dapat namin papa-hantungin pa sa ganun,” she added.
Beating the Final Four heat
Heated semifinals action await all four teams in what has been a tight-knit title race to date after a closely-contested elimination round.
But apart from the on-court action, there’s a different kind of heat that has and might still trouble the Lady Bulldogs — the scorching heat of the summer season.
As if 14 elimination round matches in a span of roughly two months weren’t enough, the weather-induced fatigue hasn’t spared any of the Lady Bulldogs. Hence, it will be of the essence for his wards to beat not only their soon-to-be-named Final Four foe but also the inevitable heat.
“Marami pa (kaming need i-improve). It doesn’t mean na na-sweep namin yung second round ay hanggang du’n na lang. Skills-wise, ‘yung passing namin, blocking namin (kailangan pang ayusin). Dito (against FEU), may mga lapses pa du’n sa mga connection (ng players). Nakita niyo naman minsan yung setter and spiker, nagkakaroon pa rin ng error,” said Miguel.
“Most importantly, ‘yung retention ng kanilang physical conditioning, ‘yung health, ‘yun ‘yung pinakaimportante. Especially ngayon, nag-ttraining kami nang sobrang init. Minsan kailangan mo na lang intindihin na pagod na sila kahit sabihin mo na maaga pa because of the factor ng init,” he added.
Belen echoed Miguel’s sentiments in stressing how beyond NU’s playing form and competitive shape, staying healthy will be just as important to complete its title reclamation bid.
“Lahat ng teams, nagi-improve talaga. Lahat nu’ng apat na (semis) teams, talagang peaking sila. Kaya katulad ng sinabi ni Coach Norman (Miguel), ‘yung health din namin (mahalaga) kasi may times na sobrang init talaga sa training so baka naman, pa-aircon niyo na kami. Charot!
“Kailangan ding tignan ‘yung health ng bawat isa kasi may times parin na bumabalik pa rin ‘yung mga injuries at may mga masasakit pa rin kaya kailangan namin maging disiplinado para tumagal kami,” said Belen.
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