The rookie-MVP got a bit worked up after her squad’s 20-game winning streak was snapped
The NU Lady Bulldogs’ 20-game winning streak that dated back to last season was snapped when they lost a five-set thriller to the UST Golden Tigresses on Saturday. It was quite remarkable to witness a seemingly unbeatable team finally suffer their first loss in quite a while.
Without a doubt, it was a big deal for UAAP fans. It was a big deal for the Golden Tigresses and their supporters. And it was a big deal as well for the defending champs. After the game, Season 84’s rookie-MVP spoke of the upset.
Still reeling from their close win against the Adamson Lady Falcons in their previous match, Bella Belen considers the setback against UST as more than just a simple wake-up call.
“Hindi lang po wake-up [call] kasi po ‘yung Adamson parang kinalabit na kami. Pero ngayon, parang sinipa na kami. Kumbaga para magising na po kami na hindi porke’t na-sweep namin last season, magiging madali sa ’min ngayon,” said Belen, who finished with 17 points against UST.
With a current win-loss record of 2-1, Belen rued the difference in motivation that her team is playing with right now as compared to last year.
“Kasi po ‘yung hunger namin before, sa ngayon, feeling ko po magkaiba… Dapat po hindi kami makampante na kung ano na kami ‘non ‘nung last season. And mas macha-challenge kami this season,” Belen explained.
As NU’s star outside hitter tried to make sense of her squad’s defeat, one could notice how emotional she was even as she tried her best to keep her cool. And from the looks of it, best believe Belen is itching to get back on the court to get the Lady Bulldogs back in the win column.
She’ll get here chance on Wednesday, March 8, as NU takes on the UP Fighting Maroons.