NU braces for UAAP semis versus FEU

NATIONAL University's (NU) team captain Bella Belen reflected on UAAP Season 86's heartbreaking semifinal loss to Far Eastern University (FEU), where they lost their twice-to-beat edge.

Determined to avoid a repeat, Belen's team is more focused than ever in Season 87.

"As for me, I think we've already learned our lesson. Even though the pain we felt that time was intense, because we had the chance to win, it was just Game 1 of the semifinals [against FEU]," she said.

"Hopefully, now we'll be even hungrier to win, especially against FEU because their game is at a high level right now," she added.

The first-ever UAAP women's volleyball player who received the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in Season 84 went fiery in NU's last game in the elimination round after registering a triple-double against the gutsy University of Santo Tomas (UST) with 26 points, 17 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.

Belen gave an all-around performance to propel the Lady Bulldogs to a five-set victory over the win-hungry Golden Tigresses, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9, on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Belen having the room to breathe now as she and her squad look ahead in the playoff clash against the Lady Tamaraws, Belen still yearns for improvement.

"Right now, I can say, not too much yet [that I am peaking]. I can say little by little. Because that's really how it is. Whoever among us, every game we need to improve, even just a little, especially now that we're entering the Final Four."

"If we can show something new every game, elevate our play even more, that's what we'll do. That's always been us, we're never satisfied with how we play."