UAAP: Learning from defeat, NU rises above adversity to grab second seed

Bouncing back from a grueling five-set loss against De La Salle University last Sunday, National University have been able to pick itself up and overcome University of Santo Tomas to clinch second position in the standings and an important bye heading into the step-ladder Final Four.

Making it now two consecutive games where NU has gone the distance, Lady Bulldogs head tactician Regine Diego is brimming with pride having seen fight, grit, and determination from her squad.

“I'm very proud. Not just for this game but from the last game. Even though we lost, we gave our all,” said Diego, who finished her first elimination round as NU coach with a 10-4 win-loss record.

“From then on, I knew na these girls will be playing their best all the time na. Kasi nakita na namin na kung ano 'yung kaya namin and it just proved na we can still fight up to the end,” she added.

Keen to make up for admitted lapses in their most recent defeat, NU mainstays Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug shared that they were relieved to step up when their team needed them the most yet again.

“Hindi naman maiiwasan na mabe-blame ko ‘yung sarili ko non kasi it’s my fault naman po talaga. So this game, siguro binigay ko lang ‘yung best ko talaga na makabawi for the team,” asserted Panique who finished with a game-high 24 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace.

For Lady Bulldogs captain Alinsug, she knew that the team’s confidence throughout tough matches like the one this evening had to start from her.

“Sa akin din kasi ‘yun magsisimula eh. Kailangan ko lang din talaga i-compose yung sarili ko kasi alam ko na ‘yung teammates ko, kapag gano’n na ka-crucial, sumusunod talaga sila sa akin,” asserted the NU leader.

Now recalibrating while awaiting its next challenge, Coach Diego and Alinsug maintained that the Sampaloc-based squad will head into the Final Four filled with positivity and pride as they brace for a rigorous title defense.

“Lagi lang kaming optimistic kasi syempre alam namin na mabibigat na din talaga ‘yung kalaban namin. So balik lang talaga kami sa disiplina and kung gaano rin namin kagusto, magsisimula din ‘yun sa ensayo,” stated the NU skipper.

“Nakaka-proud lang din na makita sila na nag-mature sila agad in a span of a few months. And, you know, they’re still fighting para ma-defend yung championship, not just for themselves but also for the community and for their ates who graduated,” acclaimed Diego.

—JKC, GMA News