NU out to maintain top form
Bella Belen and National University are hoping to sustain the peak of their physical fitness amid the blazing heat as they gear up for the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Final Four next week.
The Lady Bulldogs completed a second round sweep for the second time in three seasons to finish with a 12-2 record.
In Season 84, NU went all the way to the championship undefeated to end a 65-year drought for the title.
On Wednesday, April 24, the NU side earned itself the first twice-to-beat edge via a sweep of No. 4 seed Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22.
Even after making the win look so easy, it has been pretty grueling for the Lady Bulldogs to keep up with their intense training and give their best amidst the punishing heat.
With temperatures reaching a dangerous level of 46C in Metro Manila, the athletes couldn’t help but worry about their physical condition.
“Marami pa kaming dapat ayusin. Doesn’t mean na-sweep namin ‘yung second round hanggang doon na lang. Skills wise, passing and blocking namin [need improvement]. May mga lapses pa rin sa connection. Minsan ‘yung setter and spikers nagkakaroon pa ng errors,” said NU head coach Norman Miguel.
“Most importantly, ‘yung retention ng kanilang physical condition, their health. Especially [with the weather] sobrang init. Minsan sa training namin ang init. Kailangan mo na lang sila [players] intindihin na pagod na pagod na kahit maaga pa. Because of the heat factor. ‘Yun ang mga bagay na kailangan namin paghandaan at ‘yun ang mga challenges,” he added.
With the eliminations now done and dusted, NU has shifted its focus on the semifinal where it could be facing FEU or defending champion De La Salle.