The UAAP Women's Volleyball defending champions are just human after all.
Everybody knows that famous quote from the epic, historical film 300. No, not "This is Sparta!" We're talking about the theme "Even a god-king can bleed."
That pretty much happened to the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs when the UST Golden Tigresses gave them a dose of reality in a five-set stunner. The Lady Bulldogs were untouchable last year, sweeping Season 84 for the UAAP Women's Volleyball title. But that narrative quickly changed this season in just three games.
Not surprisingly, NU admitted they wanted to get back on track as soon as possible. They may have been rushing too much when they beat the UP Fighting Maroons in their bounceback game. The Lady Bulldogs dropped the first set against UP, and champion coach Karl Dimaculangan admitted his players were too eager to dominate.
"Hindi kami pwedeng manggigil agad. Galing kami sa five set na talo namin sa UST and parang gusto naming bumawi agad pero hindi kasi ganun siya kadali, kailangang trabahuin nang maayos," Dimaculangan said.
Dimaculangan benched reigning MVP Bella Belen, who was scoreless against UP, and starting libero Jen Nierva after the first set. Other Lady Bulldogs stepped up to fill in the gap, but the Bulldogs were not shy to admit that they want to win as soon as possible after the heartbreaking defeat against UST.
"Nandun po talaga 'yung gigil namin," Evangeline Alinsug said after scoring 13 points against UP.
Sheena Toring, who had a game-high 14 points, echoed Alinsug's answer.
"Yes po, for sure. You all know naman na rivalry yung UST at NU nung high school, so nandoon 'yung gigil," she said."
"Of course, hindi papatalo, champion kami last season e."
Coach Dimaculangan though reminded his champion team that they have to play with the right mindset if they want to win.
"Kailangan naming bumalik na nage-enjoy kami habang naglalaro," he said.