The NU Lady Bulldogs found their spark at the perfect time, and at the center of it was Arah Panique, who delivered a redemption game to remember. Just days after a costly error in their loss to the La Salle Lady Spikers, Panique responded with authority, powering NU to a reverse sweep of the UST Golden Tigresses, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Panique finished with 24 points built on 21 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, leading the Lady Bulldogs’ stunning comeback that secured the second seed and a semifinals bye. “Gusto lang po naming makabawi sa pagkatalo namin last game kasi ’yun ’yung pinanghuhugutan talaga namin, ’yung game na ’yun. Masaya lang din po kami kasi makikita naman po ’yung team effort namin, and teamwork po,” Panique admitted.
Panique Fueled by Setback
NU had entered the match coming off a heartbreaking defeat to La Salle, where a late net fault by Panique—spotted upon video review—ultimately handed the Lady Spikers the win and an outright Finals berth. Instead of dwelling on the setback, Panique and the Lady Bulldogs used it as fuel.
Down two sets to none against UST, NU regrouped and dominated the next two frames before holding its nerve in the fifth to complete the comeback. The victory not only erased the sting of their previous loss but also secured NU the No. 2 seed in the stepladder semifinals, putting them just one win away from a return to the Finals.
“Siguro hindi naman po maiiwasan na mabiblame ko ’yung sarili ko noon kasi it’s my fault naman po talaga, so this game, siguro ibinigay ko na lang ’yung best ko talaga na makabawi for the team, na makuha namin ’yung slot two na ’yun para hindi na rin kami mahirapan, tas makapagpahinga rin po kami,” Panique added.
With the semis incentive in hand, NU gains valuable rest as UST and the FEU Tamaraws first battle for the fourth seed, with the winner advancing to face the Adamson Lady Falcons. The back-to-back defending champions now sit just one win away from returning to the Finals.
