NU Lady Bulldogs coach Normal Miguel in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University coach Norman Miguel is reminding the Lady Bulldogs not to rest their laurels after sweeping the second round and securing one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
NU continued to lean on the trio of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug to sweep Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-19. 25-22, to end the elimination round with seven straight wins on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But there’s no reason to be contented for Miguel and his wards.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
“Having a twice-to-beat advantage is a big factor. But, for us, we don’t look at it as an advantage. Starting Game 1, we have to be all-out to finish the game,” said the NU coach in Filipino. “We will work harder, regardless of the advantage. We will try to get the job done, perform 100%, and win Game 1.”
“Sweeping the second round doesn’t mean that we will be contented. We still have to work on, skills-wise, passing, and blocking. We also have to work on the connection of the spikers and setter and most importantly, retaining our physical conditioning and health,” he added.
Belen, who had 12 points, agreed with her coach that they can’t be complacent as they step closer to their road to redemption after losing the title to La Salle last year.
READ: UAAP: After tabbing twice-to-beat, NU Bulldogs plans to leave it unused
“Twice-to-beat gives us a slight relief but as coach said we can’t reach the point of using this advantage. We have to be all out right in the semis first game. We can’t lose the first game,” said the UAAP Season 84 MVP in Filipino.
Since losing to La Salle at the end of the first round, the Lady Bulldogs unleashed a seven-game winning streak to finish the elimination with a 12-2 record.
NU needs a losing result from the University of Santo Tomas against La Salle on Saturday to clinch the top seed and face FEU (9-5) in the Final Four on May 4. If UST beats La Salle, the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs will drop to the No.2 spot and take on the Lady Spikers.
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“For me, modesty aside, we found the right timing to reach our peak form. We can’t relax. We have to take care of our momentum and conditioning. We hope to sustain this,” Miguel said.
