The NU Lady Bulldogs banked on their familiarity and impeccable team chemistry to deliver a strong Game 1 victory against the DLSU Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
The NU Lady Bulldogs leaned on their undeniable familiarity to deliver a strong Game 1 victory over the DLSU Lady Spikers, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, May 11.
In control for most of the game, the Lady Bulldogs put away the Lady Spikers to move one win away from back-to-back UAAP titles and three in the last four seasons.
Leading the charge was Vange Alinsug, who put up a team-high 21 points. The 22-year-old spiker credited her performance to the NU’s familiarity and chemistry, which starts during practice.
“Malaking factor yung kilala namin yung isa't-isa kasi sa training din naman nagsisimula talaga eh, kung may lutang, madadala sa laro so ina-approach namin ‘yun and pinaguusapan namin ‘yun and alam namin kung paano mababawi ‘yun,” Alinsug said during the post-game press conference.
[ALSO READ: Vange Alinsug ready to go all out to give Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon one more UAAP Finals win]
Team captain Bella Belen echoed the same sentiment, emphasizing the connection she’s had with her teammates since their early days at NU Nazareth School.
“Kilala na namin yung bawa't isa kunwari nag error man si ganito, alam na namin kung paano siya ia-approach kung wala man sa mood si ganito alam namin kung paano siya ili-lift up so malaking bagay talaga ‘yung chemistry lalo na po sa volleyball,” said Belen.
“Nakita naman namin throughout hindi lang ngayong season, kumbaga kahit ‘yung mga past season nakita namin kung paano nakatulong ‘yun sa pagkamit namin ng championship,” she added.
[ALSO READ: NU’s Bella Belen, Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan celebrate graduation ahead of UAAP Finals]
With a battle-tested lineup at his disposal, first-time NU coach Sherwin Meneses knows that not much reminder is needed for the Lady Bulldogs. Still, the multi-titled tactician continues to edge on his squad to close out the series and secure the championship.
“Actually, yung chemistry ng NU nandiyan naman pero sabi ko nga, kailangan pagpaguran kasi wala namang champion ngayon, defending champions so dapat mai-defend talaga namin ‘yung crown ng NU,” said Meneses.
“‘Yung competitiveness ng mga players talagang nanjan na, sobrang taas. So, I hope, sa second game namin [ng Finals], talagang malagpasan pa namin yung magandang laro nila.”
The Lady Bulldogs will look to close out the Finals series when they face the Lady Spikers in Game 2 on Wednesday, May 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.