UAAP: Chemistry, continuity a premium for Belen as NU gears up for title-retention bid

National University star Bella Belen in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — All eyes will be on National University (NU) as it defends its women’s volleyball title in UAAP Season 87.

Headed by new mentor Sherwin Meneses, the Lady Bulldogs look to keep the championship in Jhocson Street and complete a repeat -- and no other than NU star Bella Belen is ready to take charge of her squad.

“’Di naman mawawala 'yung expectations ng ibang tao sa amin. Pero sinasabi ko lang sa teammates ko na mas kilala namin 'yung isa’t isa,” the UAAP MVP said during the league’s pre-tournament press conference on Thursday in Pasay.

“Ngayon, mas iba na 'yung mindset ng team. Mas mahirap mag-defend ng crown kesa mang-agaw ng crown, so dapat ready kami sa mga challenges. Merong manggagaling sa ibang team, pero meron ding manggagaling sa mga sarili namin.”

“Mas alam din namin kung paano kami magpe-perform, so dedmahin lang namin kung ano 'yung [negative] na sinasabi ng ibang tao. 'Yung sinasabi nila opinion lang nila 'yun,” she continued.

Aside from this, NU’s exposure to higher competition, all thanks to the other squad of Meneses, the Creamline Cool Smashers, has also given the Lady Bulldogs a fresh perspective on how to make things work despite already being a powerhouse in the UAAP.

“Nakaka-challenge siya for us kasi 'yung Creamline, champion team siya,” said Belen. “Matagal na si Coach Sherwin, so 'pag nakikita namin na ginagawa ng Creamline, 'yung system nila, naa-amaze pa rin kami. May chance na pwede kaming maging gan'to 'pag pinatuloy namin 'yung sistema ni Coach Sherwin."

However, the biggest factors that will be both crucial and helpful for NU, said Belen, are the chemistry and the continuity that the Lady Bulldogs have.

“Very excited lang ako sa kung pang pwede ipakita ng team namin,” she pointed out. “Bago 'yung sistema namin, pero 'yung team intact pa rin. Chemistry talaga 'yung nagpapabuo ng team namin ngayon.”

“Hindi rin kami masyadong nahirapan since kasama ko na since high school 'yung karamihan sa mga teammates ko, so isa siguro siya sa mga key factors ng team namin. Kilala na namin 'yung bawat isa, alam namin paano susuyuin 'yung isa’t isa so family na talaga 'yung turing namin sa isa’t isa,” she added.

NU will open its retention bid on Sunday, February 16, 3 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena, against De La Salle University.

RELATED VIDEO: