Mapua University middle blocker Nicole Ong turned emotional as the final point of the Lady Cardinals' match against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde was called on their side.
"For me personally, wala naman ding parang gumulo sa utak ko na pressure so lahat tinake namin as motivation," Ong told GMA News Online when asked about their motivation prior to the match.
"Actually nung pagkapanalo, ang una kong naisip 'After four years, natalo na [namin sila]' parang gano'n kasi four years na ako rito kaya grabe ang iyak ko kanina."
Ong had 14 points in the Lady Cardinals' 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21 win against the Lady Blazers.
Since her debut in Season 97, Ong saw the dominant Lady Blazers rule the tournament en route to three straight titles. However, even before joining the NCAA, Ong has been playing against the squad of coach Jerry Yee in Hope Christian High School.
"[Sa] Chiang Kai [Shek College] po, nakalaban din namin sina Coach Jerry. Halos sila rin po talaga," Ong said.
Among Hope's alumni players in Benilde are Mycah Go, Chenae Basarte, and Cristy Ondangan.
The Lady Cardinals, who are on a six-game winning streak, will end their first round campaign on Saturday against current top seed University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Ong said they will just give their best in the upcoming game.
"Since na-realize din and alam namin na last two games namin 'yung mabibigat, 'yun ang mga nasa taas, in-accept namin 'yung fact na kailangan namin labanan ang nasa harap namin. Bilog naman ang bola, hindi natin masabi, pero talagang pagpursigihan namin ang mga sarili namin," said Ong.
—GMA Integrated News
