UAAP: Top seed NU braces for hungry FEU in Final Four showdown

Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate a point against UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—National University knows it will have its hands full heading into the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final Four.

The Lady Bulldogs trounced the University of Santo Tomas in a five-set thriller, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9,  on Sunday, proving why they’re the undisputed top seed after the elimination round.

Regardless of the result against the Golden Tigresses, NU had already secured the No. 1 ranking and a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the semifinals, where it will meet familiar foe Far Eastern University.

READ: UAAP: FEU has more work to do ahead of Final Four, says Tin Ubaldo

Bella Belen and the entire squad are no strangers to the Lady Tamaraws.

Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate a point against UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I think we learned from last season,” said Belen. “We had a chance to win Game 1 of the semis but we didn’t. Now we’re hungrier for wins, especially since FEU has leveled up their play. They performed really well last time.”

But NU also knows that FEU, fresh from a stunning four-set upset of powerhouse La Salle on Saturday, will be a much tougher opponent this time around.

That only adds more reason for the Lady Bulldogs to kick it up a notch when it comes to preparing for their next foe.

“It’s a good thing that we have days to prepare against a team like FEU. We’ll focus on them. We’ll also rewatch our game today and look at where we are lacking,” Belen said.

“We have to look at what kind of strategy we’ll have against FEU so we can be a step ahead of them. With us, we’ll start training so we know how to move when we go up against them.”