Consistency is key for the streaking NU Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines – The National University Lady Bulldogs are starting to prove they are one of the strongest contenders in the league.   

The Lady Bulldogs are finally gaining momentum in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament after starting off slow, when they dropped their first game against defending champions Ateneo Lady Eagles. As NU Captain Myla Pablo puts it, her team was out of focus and are still adjusting big time.

“Na-rattle talaga kami sa loob ng court. Hindi kami nag usap-usap tsaka nagkanya-kanya kami,” she said in an Ateneo-NU post-game interview.

(We were rattled inside the court. We didn’t talk to each other and we didn’t play as one team.)  

But it didn’t take them long to pick up their game. 

The Lady Bulldogs bounced back stronger in their second match as they pulled off a huge win against Season 77 bridesmaids De La Salle Lady Spikers last Wednesday, 25-16, 26-24, 14-25, 25-23. 

Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, and Jorelle Singh all exploded with an impressive 16 points each to hand the Lady Spikers their first loss of the season. 

Their winning streak continued Sunday, February 14 as they swept the still winless University of the East Lady Warriors with Jaja Santiago again leading the charge with 11 markers. Unlike in their first game, the towering Santiago’s capabilities are finally being maximized. 

All the girls finished with individual points as Coach Roger Gorayeb gave everyone playing time.

This team is sure doing a great job. But there’s still no enough reason to celebrate.

Too early to tell?

“It’s only the first round. There is still a lot of games and many things can still happen,” said Gorayeb in Filipino.

True enough, the season has just started and all the teams have stepped up their games. He even added that they try to make the most out of every game and learn from all their mistakes. They do not underestimate anyone.

He admitted that his team used to have the tendency to be overconfident whenever they face a less-competitive team. 

“Para sa akin walang mahinang team dito.”

(For me, there is no weak team here.)

The Sampaloc-based squad failed to enter the finals last season and settled for third instead. That’s why this time, they want to prove their worth as early as possible.

“Dapat ipakita namin na contender na kami.”

(We need to show them that we are contenders here.) 

Consistency is key

When NU defeated La Salle, Gorayeb recalled telling the girls to never look back from then on. There is definitely no backing down at this point according to him. 

“You should not waste a chance like that,” he told the team.

However, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. The only way for them to land a sure spot in the Final Four is to be consistent.

“You all need to be consistent,” Gorayeb reminded his squad. 

Skipper Myla Pablo who finished with 9 markers a while ago agrees with Gorayeb. 

“Kailangan namin i-maintain yung pagkapanalo namin. Hindi pwedeng mag enjoy nalang kami kasi nananalo na kami,” Pablo said. 

(We need to keep winning. We can’t just enjoy and be complacent because we’re already winning.)

It’s going to be a tough year for the graduating outside hitter and she admits to sometimes succumbing to pressure.

“Pressured ako pero hindi ‘yon pwedeng dahilan para hindi ko ayusin ‘yung laro ko,” she added.

(I am pressured but that doesn’t serve as an excuse for me not to play well.) 

They’ll have to stick to that same formula as they play against the University of Sto. Tomas on Friday, February 20. They go back to training without complacency even after a win. In fact, they train harder.

With this kind of mindset and a whole team strong enough to slug it out, the NU Lady Bulldogs are looking like a serious threat to all teams. – Rappler.com