Tough schedule to end the first round.
There's no room for breather in the UAAP Season 85 Women's Volleyball Tournament. The defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs know that very well, and they do not intend to slip up in their last two first round matches.
The Lady Bulldogs will finish their initial assignments against the FEU Tamaraws and the still unbeaten La Salle Lady Spikers.
NU coach Karl Dimaculangan said he reminded his wards not to think far ahead to the La Salle game.
The Lady Spikers are unbeaten in five games and are favorites to contend for the title. It will be natural if the Lady Bulldogs want to have a statement game against them. But NU is careful not to overlook the Tamaraws when they collide on Saturday.
"Kinausap ko naman 'yung team before matapos 'tong first round. Naging ano lang muna kami, one game at a time. Wag munang isipin 'yung La Salle. Mag-perform muna kami sa FEU, before mas humirap 'yung kalaban namin, before namin tapusin 'yung first round," Dimaculangan said.
NU libero Jen Nierva herself is not exactly comparing opponents.
"It's really about papano kami magpe-prepare for FEU. Every game is very important. It's not about FEU or La Salle, it's really how we play the game as a team and how we improve as a team," she said.
Reigning MVP Bella Bella also echoed the same sentiment.
"Titingnan namin kung ano 'yung mga dapat pa naming improve, and kung ano pa 'yung mga kailangan pang ipulido."
After facing FEU, the Lady Bulldogs will close round 1 on March 22, Wednesday.