MANILA, Philippines – The National University Lady Bulldogs are looking their best all season long heading into the Final Four in UAAP Season 86, after finishing off the second round of eliminations with a perfect 7-0 record, which is good enough for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
After absorbing two losses in the first half of the season, the Lady Bulldogs were left unblemished in the latter half of eliminations, capping it off with a convincing three-set win over the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday evening.
For head coach Norman Miguel, it was all part of a well-timed game plan to have his girls peaking just at the right moment.
“For me, siguro, modesty aside, siguro medyo nasa tamang timing lang kami, tuma-timing lang kami doon sa pag-angat ng performance namin,” he said.
The Lady Bulldogs swept their assignments in the second round, which also meant they avenged their first round losses to fellow Final Four-bound teams UST and La Salle. But while their play is at an all-time high, NU isn’t about to get ahead of themselves.
“Hindi kami pwede magrelax doon. Kailangan pa rin namin ingatan kung hanggang kailan namin masusustain yung magandang condition, yung hindi lang sa skills, yung physical [condition] din nila, yun [yung] iniingatan namin,” he said.
“Pero ayun, okay kami na medyo tuma-timing yung pagangat ng performance namin, sana tuloy-tuloy.”
As it stands, NU will likely face the Lady Tamaraws again in the semifinals, with the twice-to-beat advantage. But according to Miguel, he isn’t keen on using up his luck.
“Of course malaking bagay siya no kasi ‘di ba yung twice-to-beat advantage. But then, para sa amin, we don’t look at it na may ganung advantage kailangan talaga, starting Game 1 talagang all-out na kami to finish the game,” he said.
NU now awaits the results of the final game day of the elimination round on Saturday, April 27, where fellow Final Four teams UST and La Salle battle it out to determine the final matchups for the semifinals.