Head coach Karl Dimaculangan sees National University’s five-set win over Adamson University as a good learning experience for the squad moving forward into its title-retention bid.
The mentor was just relieved the Lady Bulldogs experienced the upset scare early in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, something he feels would give them enough time to adjust.
“I thought it’s a good thing that we’re able to see and experience this kind of situation. It gives us an idea of what we should do and see which players we could field,” the mentor said after NU walked away from its second game with its record unscathed following a 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 15-10, escape last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“At least we know now what adjustments we should make during the game. This is a good lesson for us.”
The victory extended the Lady Bulldogs’ winning streak to 20 dating back to the pandemic-canceled Season 82 back in 2020.
It was NU’s first five-setter since its 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-13, win over University of Santo Tomas back on 4 March 2020.
The Lady Bulldogs actually had a chance to end the match in the third set but service errors from Erin Pangilinan and Alyssa Solomon, who finished with a career-best 28 points, proved costly as their team holding match point advantages in both instances.
“During training, we’re already expecting the worst that could happen and I kept reminding them of it,” Dimaculangan said. “I felt that we got in the fifth set because of our undoing.”
Skipper Ces Robles also shared the same sentiment.
“That was not the way we played. It was not us, because I know my teammates well and that was not how they play. So, we still have a lot to improve on,” she said.
“Just like what Alyssa said, we’re happy because we fought hard. I guess we just got a little bit frustrated. But it was a good battle, a good experience for us.”
Dimaculangan welcomed the hard-earned win as an eye-opener for his wards to not keep their guards down until they reach their main goal.
“This kind of game would test our patience and the team’s character. We’ve learned a lot from this,” he said.
The tactician could only hope that the Lady Bulldogs would be able to apply what they have learned when they face the Tigresses on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
