FORWARD MARSH
Celine Marsh stepped up to the challenge and restored order for National University in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday.
But a true return to form for the Lady Bulldogs means they no longer have to worry about rookie sensation Sam Cantada, who hurt her right shin during the defending champions’ shock loss to the University of the Philippines recently.
And Cantada was more than willing to provide assurances.
“I’m okay,” she said.
“We’re just waiting for the results, but I’m fine. There’s nothing major, and I don’t need an MRI,” added Cantada, who warmed up for the game against University of the East on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum but sat out her team’s 25-19, 25-10, 25-19 victory over the Lady Warriors.
“They told me to rest first since we still have a lot of games ahead, and the upcoming matches will be tougher. So it’s better to rest for now.”
It seemed NU still missed having its reliable hitter exploding from the side early on as it fell inside a 9-15 hole. But the sophomore Marsh connived with starters Vange Alinsug and Arah Panique to turn things around and coast to a fourth win in five games.
“What I can say today is that our teamwork really showed on the court. In the first set, we struggled in the first 10 points, but our mindset was to fight. We didn’t allow them to take the set,” said Marsh in Filipino. “My approach in this game was to just play my game and also step up for Sam.”
Marsh, who hardly saw action in the Lady Bulldogs’ first four games, proved her worth with 11 points and 12 excellent digs, despite feeling some jitters in her first start of the season.
FEU triumphs
“Personally, I’ve been struggling with my mindset lately. Today, I focused on what we trained before game day. I just tried to stay in the moment and play without overthinking,” she said.
NU coach Regine Diego, who never doubted Marsh, relished the luxury of having a stacked roster, as they stayed in second place with a 4-1 record behind unbeaten leader La Salle (4-0).
“Ever since I came to NU it’s always been a pleasure working with the team because they truly support you in everything you need, especially with the players coming in. They’re all very competitive,” said Diego. “I trust that every player can step up. I’m really happy and very lucky to have them with me. Hopefully, we can continue building the team, not just as strong individual players, but as a solid unit together.”
After gaining her confidence from her impressive first start, the former NU high school star is ready to step up for the Lady Bulldogs whenever her number gets called.
“I see this as a starting point for my growth. I now have a sense of how to play on the court, but I know this can’t just be a one-time performance. I need to stay consistent and always be ready, because the next challenge will come,” Marsh said.
Panique led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points from 10 kills and two blocks, while Alinsug had 10 points, seven excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
In the other game, Far Eastern University swept Ateneo, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24, for its second straight win and third in five overall.
The Lady Tamaraws were in serious trouble only in the third set when they trailed by five as the Blue Eagles moved to within three points of extending the match to another frame.
But Lovely Lopez and Jazlyn Ellarina combined for a 9-2 run that impressed coach Tina Salak.
“It’s when the team falls behind that we see its character,” Salak said of FEU, which is now at solo fourth place.
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