BELLA Belen was admittedly caught off-guard by National U’s 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 12-15 loss to a struggling University of the Philippines.
READ: UPset: Fighting Maroons put first blemish on Lady Bulldogs record
“Masakit and nakaka-sad kasi napag-usapan namin kanina na hindi dapat kami natatalo nang ganto-ganto, yung basta-basta,” Belen said.
“Dapat nilaban pa namin kasi feeling ko, kaya namin eh. Kaya naming manalo.”
This five-set loss to the Fighting Maroons was the Lady Bulldogs’ first after a perfect 8-0 start to UAAP Season 87 - and their first league loss altogether since May 4, 2024 in last year’s Final Four against Far Eastern University.
Even as her second triple-double this season went for naught, one where she fired 21 points, 13 digs and 12 receptions, Belen sees no reason for the defending champions to feel too beaten up.
“Yung ibang teams nga na maraming talo, masaya eh. Kami dapat, positive pa rin kami kasi ok pa naman yung standing namin, 8-1, rank one,” Belen said.
“Hindi naman siya super bad game kasi naka-fifth set pa kami […] Kailangang tignan namin siya on a positive side na kailangan naming habulin na ngayon yung twice-to-beat. Yung next games, talagang mahalaga.”
NU hunt for twice-to-beat
Indeed, there will now be a traditional Final Four format, as no team can complete an elimination round sweep anymore - and the top two teams at the end of eliminations earn a playoff incentive.
But tough as it might’ve been, such a loss can still be painted as a necessary reality check to keep the Lady Bulldogs grounded and free from unwanted pressure in pursuit of a third UAAP title in the last four seasons.
As the National U skipper put it, “May konting (factor) na wala pa kasi kaming talo kaya siguro, may konting pressure. Blessing in disguise na rin (yung pagkatalo namin) para mawala yung pressure sa’min.”
“Susubukan pa naming i-figure out kasi meron pa naman kaming ilang araw para sa next game namin. Makikita naman po namin, mafi-figure out namin kung ano yung dapat nangyari at ano yung dapat hindi nangyari.”
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