The NU Lady Bulldogs will do well to activate their middle blockers in the best-of-three UAAP Season 87 finals series against the De La Salle Lady Spikers.
Scoring from NU’s wing spikers has always been a constant — that is to be expected from the likes of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug.
But in their reverse sweep conquest of the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the Final Four, new heroes emerged--NU’s middle blockers.
During their sluggish start in the first two sets, middle blocker Chams Maaya was the one who kept NU afloat and provided much-needed offense even as Belen, Solomon, and Alinsug were being checked by FEU.
Later on in the match, Alexa Mata provided points in crucial stretches — including five markers in Set 3 to keep the Lady Bulldogs alive.
[READ: Defending champ NU completes reverse sweep vs FEU, advances to UAAP Season 87 Finals]
Going up against another formidable opponent in the La Salle Lady Spikers, which has long been known for their blocks, it will be pivotal for the NU Lady Bulldogs to activate their middle blockers whenever they can.
Playmaker Lams Lamina acknowledged how crucial the MBs could be.
“Siguro sa game namin [against FEU], nakatulong talaga 'yung middles ko dahil talaga sa mga pasa namin, at happy ako kasi all of them, humihingi na sakin ng bola,” she said, referring to Maaya and Mata.
“So ako, mas napapadali 'yung buhay ko na ibigay sakanila kasi hingi sila nang hingi sakin. Kaya ayun, mas simple yung buhay [namin].”
Mata, for her part, underscored the role of the energy they brought to the table.
“Siguro, naging mindset namin, malaking tulong kasi kapag nag-step up kaming middles, lalo na sa blockings. Kailangan talaga yun,” said Mata.
“Hindi mananalo ang isang team, kung [wing spikers] lang 'yung gumagalaw. Kailangan din namin kumilos.”
For Maaya, she felt that it was only fitting to keep fighting for her teammates as they did not waiver in taking the win against FEU — a trait which they’ll need against La Salle as well.
“Kilala ko po kasi 'yung teammates namin. Kahit na two down na kami sa sets, palagi pong babawi at babawi,” she said.
However, Maaya hopes they can avoid playing catch up in the championship round.
“Siguro, dapat start palang gising na kami. At lahat sana gumagawa na [agad],” said Maaya.
The best-of-three Finals will begin on May 11, Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 5:00 p.m. It will be aired on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.