By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Arah Panique is quickly shifting from heartbreak to resolve, using National University’s (NU) narrow loss as motivation ahead of a pivotal matchup that could define the Lady Bulldogs’ playoff path in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Looking ahead, Panique and NU now brace for a crucial showdown against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Wednesday, April 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where a victory would secure the second seed and a valuable stepladder semifinal advantage.

“Sobrang eager talaga kasi kayang-kaya namin na mag-dominate at iwasan ‘yung mga unforced errors namin. Magsisimula lahat ‘yun sa training namin,” Panique said in an interview with the media.

“Siguro paghuhugutan namin ‘yung pagkatalo ngayon lalo na’t wala na kaming twice-to-beat. Sa stepladder, kailangan naming maipanalo lahat para hindi na kami mahirapan ulit,” she added.

The determination comes in the aftermath of a painful five-set defeat to De La Salle University Lady Spikers, where NU came within a point of forcing a different outcome.

At 14-all in the deciding set, a net touch violation by Panique — confirmed after a video challenge — handed La Salle the winning point, completing the Lady Spikers’ elimination-round sweep and outright finals seat.

“Noong nangyari ‘yun, parang na-blame ko ‘yung sarili ko kasi sayang nga talaga. Kaya naman namin maipanalo sana ‘yun [pero may] isang pagkakamali nga lang … Sayang kasi nga na-net touch talaga ako doon. Hindi ko in-expect na mangyayari ‘yun kasi gigil din akong makuha ‘yung point,” she said.

“For me, complicated siya kasi referee ‘yung nag-call kaso nag-challenge ‘yung La Salle. Hindi ko ma-identify if mali siya [na call] or tama. Wala na ako maisip kanina. Gusto ko lang manalo,” she added.

Now facing a tougher road without a twice-to-beat advantage, the Lady Bulldogs aim to channel the lessons from their loss into a stronger push as the playoffs approach./ASC, WDJ