By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University superstar Bella Belen still swaggered, but this time, it was no longer as elegant as before, not so confident even.
NU’s five-set defeat to the fighting University of the Philippine Lady Maroons was met with varied reactions – from shock to excitement.
But for Belen, the defeat was a blessing in disguise. A great relief for the team as it lessened the mounting pressure.
“Siguro po may kaunti, ‘yon nga kasi wala kaming talo, may kaunting pressure,” said Belen after NU’s 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 loss to UP at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“Siguro blessing in disguise narin para mawala ‘yong pressure samin,” she added. “Mas magiging masipag kami sa training, ngayon natalo kami ‘yong mindset nalang namin is kung paano kami babawi, paano kami babangon sa pagkatalo namin.”
But according to Belen, Sherwin Meneses always reminds them that they mustn’t dwell on the immense pressure and the expectations from the outside.
In their nerve-wracking duel, NU was able to buck its slow opening with the two-time Belen and Alyssa Solomon spearheading their fightback to take the next two sets.
Unfortunately, they eventually lost their momentum in the fourth frame – no thanks to Nina Ytang’s career-high 30 points. She also got ample support from Joan Monares, Kianne Olango and Bienne Bansil.
The win was UP first over NU since Season 81 or in 2019.
Far from the first time they clashed, the Jhocson-based squad swiftly rolled over the State U, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, last March 9.
“Masakit sya… pero napagusapan namin kanina na ‘di dapat kami nagpatalo ng basta-basta, dapat nilaban pa namin, kasi feeling ko kaya naming manalo [kanina] eh,” Belen continued.
“Sabi nga ni coach ‘yong ibang teams nga na maraming talo masaya [parin] eh, kami dapat positive parin kami kasi okay parin naman ‘yong standings namin eh,” she added.
Despite the loss, the Lady Bulldogs are still comfortably ahead in the standings with an 8-1 mark while the Maroons jumped to fifth spot with a 4-5 slate.
NU eyes to regain its winning form when it battles anew FEU this Sunday, March 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
