It’s safe to say that Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs will be playing with less pressure for the rest of UAAP Season 87.
Just five days ago, Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs were stunned big-time by the UP Lady Maroons, losing in an intense five-setter which ended their unblemished eight-game start to the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Two-straight errors from Solomon proved to be costly in that tight-knit affair, being called for a net touch off an out-of-system set that allowed State U to tie things up, 12-12, late into the fifth and deciding frame.
Moments later, Solomon committed an attack error in an attempt to avoid a double block by Niña Ytang and Julia De Leon. That mishit gave the Lady Maroons a 14-12 advantage, which paved the way for the game-winning kill by senior Joan Monaes.
“Syempre for me, nakaka-frustrate ‘yun, kasi endgame na ‘yun eh. Kailangan malinis ‘yung galaw, so parang ako, sa sarili ko, nainis din ako,” Solomon told The GAME in a recent conversation.
Disappointing as it was, the pride of Sta. Rosa, Laguna knows that there is no use crying over spilled milk, and all that is left is to bounce back.
“Frustrated ako, pero sabi ko na sa sarili ko na nangyari na eh. So, ano ‘yung possible na pwede mo gawin para bumawi, mas doon ako nag-focus,” she reflected.
And bounce back she did. As the Lady Bulldogs locked horns with the Lady Tams, Solomon erupted for a season-best 30 points on 26 kills, three blocks, and a service ace to overcome a slow opening act in the weekend victory.
Beyond making up for her errors against UP, Solomon’s season-best output also reflects her and the Lady Bulldogs’ renewed spirit. The pressure will always be there, but suffering their first Season 87 loss took away the added expectations of completing an elimination round sweep, according to the towering spiker.
It’s easier said than done, but all that’s left for Solomon and company is getting a twice-to-beat advantage, along with scoring an elusive title repeat in their final year representing the Blue and Gold.
“Actually, after nung UP game, nawala ‘yung pressure na dinadala ko nung game na ‘yun,” Solomon candidly admitted. “So ngayon, mas naglaro lang ako, nilabas ko kung paano ‘yung tinraining ko, so ayun lang naman, and I’m very happy.”
“May pressure talaga [during their 8-0 start] pero ngayon, after nung defeat na ‘yun, mas nabawasan na kami masyadong iisipin, mas gumaan na ‘yung iniisip namin,” added Solomon, who is set to exit the UAAP along with longtime batchmates Bella Belen, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring.
But even after a huge game, Solomon knows that she still needs to work on her killer instinct, given her tendency to have slow starts, with Sunday’s game being no exception.
“Ano eh, parang kailangan, sa mindset ko na talaga yun, parang hindi ko na dapat antayin na mag-init pa, so ako dapat from the start pa lang, from 0-0 na score kailangan naasahan na ako,” she replied when asked about the matter.
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.