As one of the leaders on the court, Angel Surada rued their recent lack of effort in the first half against the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Angel Surada and the NU Lady Bulldogs are looking to better their effort throughout four quarters after being tested in the first half against a win-hungry Adamson Lady Falcons team in their second round encounter at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday night, Nov. 8.
Falling behind by two possessions at the half, 32-36, the defending champions needed to dig deep en route to a big second half where they outscored their foes, 54-21 for a dominant 86-57 win that helped them improve to 10-1 for the season.
[READ:
Pingol drops another triple-double as NU rolls past Adamson for 9th straight win in UAAP women’s]
Knowing that it isn’t every game that they can turn it up on offense, Surada hopes that they are able to weather their opponents sooner than later in their next few games.
“Siguro 'yung effort and consistency dapat ando'n palagi simula palang ng tip off. Kasi ang hirap… Palagi kami pinagsasabihan ng coaches na mahirap 'pag kami 'yung naghahabol kasi what if hindi mag-on,” she said after the game.
Surada did the heavy lifting on offense in that game, finishing with a team-high 18 points to go along with 12 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
She was also supported by Ann Pingol’s triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
But with the rest of the field eager to catch up with the Top 4 in the standings, Surada understands that there is no room for error for the defending champions, even as they are already assured of the semifinal spot.
“Effort talaga and consistency. Dun kami, especially, eto na naman sa offensive rebounds kitang kita mo nung first half tamad na tamad kami, bibigat ng katawan namin which is 'yun 'yung kailangan namin baguhin simula pa lang,” she said.
Taking the win
Head coach DA Olan shared the sentiments of his player, and further added that their next opponent, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, is also in dire need of a win if they want to keep themselves going for a Final Four slot.
Regarded as one of the teams to beat, Olan knows that his team will need to toughen it up for their last few games — especially with a looming rematch against UST coming in their schedules.
“These types of teams na very capable and really want to win, we cannot take them lightly. Any team talaga, 'yung first half na nilaro namin kanina, 'di namin pwede ilabas 'yun against FEU because we know FEU is also a good team and capable of winning and 'yun nga, naghahabol sila sa Final Four, sa last spot,” said Olan.
“So, 'yun kailangan hindi namin ine-expect na ibibigay nila ng madali 'yung game na yun. Kailangan din namin paghirapan.” he continued.
NU’s remaining games are as follows: FEU (November 12), UE (November 15), and UST (November 23).
They will cap off the Season 88 elimination round with the finals rematch against UST at the Mall of Asia Arena.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.