Bella Belen–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
A 3rd-set hit upon Sunday put Nationwide College within the crosshairs of La Salle’s vaunted preventing spirit.
However the Woman Bulldogs had seen this film earlier than.
In entrance of a roaring crowd at Sensible Araneta Coliseum, with the pinnacle begin within the UAAP ladies’s volleyball title sequence on the road, the defending champions did what they’ve usually achieved—preventing again, staying composed and regaining management to protect their script.
“Regardless that we have been dominated within the third set, we have been capable of bounce again within the fourth,” stated skipper Bella Belen, an emblem of this system’s poise and grit. “We regrouped instantly.”
It wasn’t a reactionary response—it was truly the results of numerous video games the place they maintained composure. It was an edge they refined after going by means of 5 thrilling units towards previous powers College of Santo Tomas and Far Jap College, twice this event.
“This isn’t our first time in an enormous sport like this, so our mindset was simply to play the best way we at all times do, beginning with how we practice,” stated exterior hitter Vange Alinsug.
So when one other problem arose, the Woman Bulldogs barely flinched, profitable 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 to maneuver inside one win of their first-ever back-to-back title.
“A very powerful factor shouldn’t be dropping focus,” stated head coach Sherwin Meneses. “[To] at all times get well.”
The message was easy, because it was helpful. It was, actually, echoed in practices, lulls and huddles in line with Meneses.
“Volleyball is all about restoration,” he stated, a seasoned coach within the execs who’s tasked with preserving the college’s newly constructed dominance. “Hopefully, we’ve discovered our lesson [from that slipup].”
Not petering out
Alinsug embodied that composure, even incomes reward from her seniors.
“I’m very happy with Vange,” stated Alyssa Solomon, who didn’t even have to interrupt a lot sweat with Alinsug and Belen coming by means of with huge numbers.
“I at all times say, coaching is the beginning of the competitors. When you give 100% in coaching, it exhibits within the sport.”
“It actually helps that we all know one another so nicely, particularly since we’ve been teammates since highschool,” Alinsug added. “All the things begins in coaching. If somebody’s not targeted, it will probably carry over into the sport. So we make sure that to speak about it and help one another. We all know the best way to assist one another bounce again.”
Belen is aware of that type of effort received’t be petering out anytime quickly.
“I don’t see my teammates getting too assured heading into Recreation 2 as a result of we’re by no means happy with what we do,” stated the reigning MVP.
Then got here the plain for Wednesday’s return match.
“It’s not over but. We have to win Recreation 2 to win the championship,” she stated. INQ
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