DEFENDING champion National University (NU) is slowly moving closer from its title-retention bid after becoming the first team to reach the semifinals of Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference.
But Assistant Coach Edjet Mabbayad remained wary of the team’s lapses as he expects tougher tests await them in the coming games.
“Masaya ako sa ginawa ng mga bata pero not satisfied kasi marami pa kaming lapses,” Mabbayad said minutes after his Lady Bulldogs handed Far Eastern University (FEU) its first defeat with a coming-from-behind win, 25-17, 24-26, 14-25, 25-18, 15-11, on Wednesday.
“Naroon pa rin ‘yung attitude ng mga bata na kapag hinahabol nara-rattle,” added Mabbayad, who has been doing a magnificent job at the helm in lieu of Head Coach Roger Gorayeb.
Mabbayad was impressed with how his wards battled the Lady Tamaraws in five thrilling sets.
Bannered by Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas, Jorelle Singh, Risa Sato and playmaker Jasmine Nabor, the chief assistant said it was a character win for NU.
“Nakita namin ‘yung determinasyon at willingness nila manalo. Nakita ko ‘yung kapit at pagpupursige nila kahit lumalamang ‘yung kalaban hindi sila basta basta bumibitaw,” Mabbayad said as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 3-1 in the quarterfinal stage.
Last year NU was led by former captain Myla Pablo and guest players Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Rubie de Leon to beat the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo de Manila in a best-of-three title series.
This time, the Lady Bulldogs are doing it on their own as they prepare for the Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball competition.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Roger bago siya umalis maglaro lang sila wala silang dapat ika-pressure gawin lang nila ‘yung responsibilidad nila at i-express lang nila ‘yung sarili nila wag nilang pigilan,” Mabbayad said.
The Lady Bulldogs started the first round with a 3-0 mark before losing to the Lady Eagles. They bounced back stronger, winning two straight games in the quarters over University of Santo Tomas, including the victory over FEU.