NU wants finals slot – here and now

MANILA, Philippines — National U trailed rival La Salle and dark horse Santo Tomas early on for what was a dim picture of its title redemption tour.

But in a wild turnaround, the Lady Bulldogs snatched the No. 1 seed at 12-2, and will get the first crack at yet another finals appearance when they take on the fourth-ranked Far Eastern U today in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The odds and the momentum are all on the Lady Bulldogs’ side, sporting a win-once bonus and riding on the crest of a seven-game winning streak in the second round to leapfrog the Golden Tigresses (12-2) and the Lady Spikers (11-3).

Santo Tomas and reigning champion La Salle – in a rare handicap – clash tomorrow in an equally fiery duel. But NU has its own business to mind right here opposite the returning semifinalist FEU at 4 p.m.

“Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax. Baka mabulaga kami at kami naman ang ma-surprise. Walang reason para maging complacent kami. We don’t look at it na may advantage kami,” said NU mentor Norman Miguel.

NU swept FEU in two elimination-round meetings, including a 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 win in the second round as part of its timely sweep to secure the No. 1 spot and the semis incentive.

That will not mean a thing here in the Final Four, warned former MVP and this season’s top candidate Bella Belen.

“Parang nakakagaan ng pakiramdam ‘yung twice-to-beat pero hindi dapat kami umabot sa puntong kailangan namin gamitin ‘yung twice-to-beat. Hindi na namin dapat pahantungin pa doon,” said Belen, counting on her scoring partners Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug to lead the way.

But FEU is out to spring some surprises, and the Lady Bulldogs know that to make the most out of its Final Four return after missing the cut the past two seasons.