BY ABBY TORALBA
ARMCHAIR pundits see defending champion National University as the big favorite in the 85th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The good thing is, the Lady Bulldogs are embracing the pressure surrounding them.
NU coach Karl Dimaculangan said that while they are hard-pressed to win a second straight crown, they are focusing on their preparations and are out to prove they have what it takes.
“Pressure naman palagi kasi parang nandiyan lang naman talaga (iyong pressure) pero kami naman as a team, mindset lang namin is mag-prepare lang muna kami ngayon and pagdating doon sa start ng UAAP we go all out na lang siguro,” Dimaculangan told Malaya-Business Insight.
“As of now, ongoing pa rin iyong preparation namin para ma-reach namin iyong peak namin siguro by Feb. 25 so ongoing pa rin iyong mga workouts, tune-ups,” he added.
Last season, the Sampaloc-based crew completed a historic run, sweeping the tourney and ending a 65-year title drought.
Lady Bulldogs open hitter and rookie Michaela Belen, in addition to their championship, was named the first player in the women’s division to bag the Rookie of the Year plum and season MVP.
NU offered a peek of its strength in the offseason, ruling the Shakey’s Super League last November.
Aside from graduating players Princess Robles and Jen Nierva and sophomores Belen and Alyssa Solomon, Dimaculangan said he also expects others to step up.
“Lahat naman sila ine-expect ko na mag-step up,” he said. “Siguro iyon lang naman na ine-expect ko na lahat magtulong-tulong lang ulit kami. Kasi iyong strength ng team is more on (sa) lahat, hindi kami nag-(rely) sa isang tao lang.”
