Bella Belen and National University are hoping to sustain the peak of their physical fitness amid the blazing heat as they gear up for the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Final Four next week. 

The Lady Bulldogs completed a second round sweep for the second time in three seasons after finishing at 12-2 in the standings.

In Season 84, NU went all the way to the championship undefeated to end a 65-year title drought.

On Wednesday, April 24, the NU side earned itself the first twice-to-beat edge via a sweep of No. 4 seed Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22. 

Even after making the win look so easy, it has been pretty grueling for the Lady Bulldogs to keep up with their intense training and give their best in this heat. 

With temperatures reaching a dangerous 46C in Metro Manila, the athletes couldn’t help but worry about their physical condition. 

“Marami pa kaming dapat ayusin. Doesn’t mean na-sweep namin ‘yung second round hanggang doon na lang. Skills wise, passing and blocking namin [need improvement]. May mga lapses pa rin sa connection. Minsan ‘yung setter and spikers nagkakaroon pa ng errors,” said NU head coach Norman Miguel. 

“Most importantly, ‘yung retention ng kanilang physical condition, their health. Especially [with the weather] sobrang init. Minsan sa training namin ang init. Kailangan mo na lang sila [players] intindihin na pagod na pagod na kahit maaga pa. Because of the heat factor. ‘Yun ang mga bagay na kailangan namin paghandaan at ‘yun ang mga challenges,” he added.

With the eliminations now done and dusted, NU has shifted its focus on the semifinal where it could be facing FEU or defending champion De La Salle. 

Should La Salle win over University of Santo Tomas in their final elimination round showdown, NU gets to keep the pole position to itself as it holds a superior set ratio over the champs. 

However, a win for the Golden Tigresses will put them on top of everybody else with the Lady Bulldogs settling behind the No. 1 team in the final standings position as the former maintains a set-ratio lead over the latter. 

Regardless of the scenario that awaits them, the Lady Bulldogs refused to rely on their semifinal bonus as they eye an early return trip to the finals. 

“Of course malaking bagay [having the] advantage. Pero we don’t look at the advantage [in that way]. Kailangan starting Game 1, all out na talaga, come and finish the game. Pagta-trabahuhan talaga namin ‘yun. Regardless of that advantage, hindi na namin siya iisipin. Through hard work, we'll end it right away. We will perform with our one hundred percent,” Miguel said. 

Likewise for Season 84 Most Valuable Player Belen, there’s no reason for the squad to take their chances on a twice-to-beat advantage when the Lady Bulldogs can reap the benefits of their peak form in the championship series. 

“Pag narinig kasi ‘yung twice-to-beat parang nakakagaan siya ng feeling ng mga players. Pero sabi nga ni coach, hindi kami dapat umabot sa point na magamit namin ‘yung advantage. Kailangan sa unang semis game pa lang, all out na talaga. Kahit may advantage. Dapat hindi kami humantong doon,” she said.