When terminating opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon suffered a mild left ankle sprain, the National University Lady Bulldogs suffered shocking losses at the hands of lower-ranked teams Adamson University Lady Falcons and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
After that, a seldom-used middle blocker transitioned to become an opposite spiker to fill the gaps of Solomon’s absence, and her name is Aisha Bello.
Now in her second playing year with the Lady Bulldogs, Bello delivered nine crucial points in the Lady Bulldogs’ 25-8, 25-22, 25-12 victory against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors.
“I’m so happy. All thanks to my coaches and teammates for trusting me. Even though [opposite hitter] is not my position, I’ve been here for a long time now and am trying to put in my best effort. I’m happy to show what I am,” Bello said after the game.
“It’s kind of hard, but like my teammates always say, it’s all about mindset. Even though I don’t have playing time, behind here, I still play and practice. It does not matter if I play here because everybody cannot play at the same time. For me, I put as much effort as I can during practice.”
Aside from Bello, Lady Bulldogs young guns Celine Marsh, Chamy Maaya, and Abe Puno also stepped up. In fact, all Lady Bulldogs scored at least a point, except for the liberos Shaira Jardio and IC Cepada.
Lady Bulldogs team captain Bella Belen reiterated that their team was not about creating an ace player, as she expected everyone to deliver.
She said, “Gaya nga ng sinabi ko nung last interview ko nung talo kami, ‘yung team kasi namin hindi naman kami nagke-create ng star player, parang ang gusto namin ay kung sino man ang paglaruin sa game, kayang mag-contribute. Lumabas naman siya kasi sa training nag-uumpisa ‘yan na lahat kami sa training pa lang, maganda ‘yung pine-perform kahit ‘yung mga nasa bench.”
“China-challenge talaga nila ‘yung mga stringers kaya I’m very happy na nabigyan sila ng chance na mapakita kung ano ‘yung kaya nila at lagi naman sila sinasabihan ni coach Sherwin [Meneses] na once mabigyan sila ng opportunity, kailangan nila i-grab. Minsan lang kasi ‘yun. ‘Yung mga gurang, aalis naman so parang stepping stone na rin nila ito para pagdating nila doon sa point na nawala na ‘yung mga mawawala, ‘yung pressure, kaya na nila.”
The National University will face the already-eliminated Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sunday, April 14, at 1 pm. Meanwhile, the University of the East will take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Saturday, April 13, at 1 pm.
