National University will go for the jugular against La Salle in Game Two of the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball championship best-of-three finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, a date with a long-awaited destiny after six decades.

The Lady Bulldogs haven’t won a UAAP women’s volleyball championship since 1957, and their match against the Lady Spikers is set for 6:30 p.m. We have a significant opportunity to finally put an end to the excruciating drought in a big, bold way.

If the stars align, NU might win it with a perfect 16-0 season, similar to what the Ateneo squad led by Alyssa Valdez did in Season 77.

But, with the risks and rewards as high as they are, that bid is expected to be difficult to win.

After a tremendous Game One victory, coach Karl Dimaculangan stated, “May mga silly mistakes kami noong Game 1 na kailangan pa namin i-workout. We have to sustain our energy and focus. Our mindset is always staying ready,”

NU, which had a week off as an automatic finalist, didn’t break a sweat in the series opener, winning 25-20, 25-12, and 25-21 against a La Salle team that needed to advance from the stepladder semifinals.

The Lady Bulldogs had won nine straight sets in three games against the Lady Spikers, demonstrating their season-long supremacy.

Nonetheless, NU expects a ferocious La Salle comeback, building on its winning streak after reaching the finals for the 11th time in the previous 12 seasons.

 Dimaculangan added, “Finals na ito so hindi kami puwedeng magpabaya. Tuloy lang dapat sa ginagawa namin. It should be the same preparation, execution and mindset for us,”

Mhicaela Belen, NU’s prized spiker, is a strong contender for both the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the 5:30 p.m. event. I share the same feeling before the game.

“Dapat pa po naming trabahuhin. Ang goal po talaga namin is the championship,” Belen continued, retaining her emphasis on the overall purpose despite the possibility of individual honors as an “extra prize.”

After faltering in the opener, La Salle intends to put up a strong fight to prolong the series, with gunners Alleiah Malaluan, Leila Cruz, Jolina Dela Cruz, Fifi Sharma, and Thea Gagate anticipated to bounce back.