BELEN, NATIONAL U DETERMINED
National University outside hitter Bella Belen is looking to finish the job against University of Santo Tomas following a dominant Game 1 win in their best-of-three Finals series on Saturday, May 11.
NU fiercely made it back to the Finals and moved a win away from completing its redemption bid following its finals loss to De La Salle last year.
In Game 2 on Wednesday, May 15, the Lady Bulldogs will have their ultimate chance to fully reclaim what once belonged to them in Season 84 that saw them end a 65-year title drought.
“Siguro ang pinakahugot ko is ‘yung last season talaga kasi may chance kami di ba nag Finals kami against La Salle. May chance kami para mag back-to-back [titles sana] pero hindi namin nagawa. Isa talaga ‘yun sa mga hugot namin. Sabi namin kailangan this season na sa amin ulit. Kahit may mga talo man kami, hanggat hindi pa tapos ‘yung season hindi kami mawawalan ng pagasa na maibalik sa amin ‘yung championship,” Belle said.
With the España-based crew ousting La Salle in their Final Four clash to make its first Finals appearance in five years, NU is looking to turn away both of them together to claim the coveted collegiate trophy.
“Kahit nanalo kami ngayong Game 1, I think medyo so-so pa rin ‘yung laro namin. I know my team, alam ko kung ano ‘yung kaya naming gawin nakasama ko na sila for ilang years. Alam ko ‘yung capabilities namin," said Bella.
"Kahit nanalo kami magsisipag pa rin kami sa training kasi for sure paghahandaan kami ng UST. Siyempre kailangan hindi kami magpapatalo. Kailangan ‘yung preparation namin [the same intensitiy],” she added.
Poised to be awarded her second MVP trophy in two years for her equally fine display in the offensive and defensive fronts, Belen understands that it will take more than just her to stop UST in Game 2 where it is surely raring to equalize.
“I think ‘yung mga errors namin. Pero thankful ako kasi ‘yung errors ng UST halos same lang sa amin. Kasi kung ibang team ‘yun and ganoon karami ‘yung errors namin in three sets siguro talaga talo kami," she said.
"‘Yun isa naming iwo-work on and pagiging kalmado namin in every rally. Kasi ‘yung UST madepensa so dapat kami nandoon ‘yung patience namin sa paglalaro na hanggat hindi namamatay ‘yung bola kailangan hindi kami titigil."