Arah Panique redeemed herself by leading National University to the No.2 spot ahead of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder semifinals, anchoring the defending champion’s five-set comeback against University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Last Sunday, Panique’s costly net fault sealed La Salle’s five-set win to complete a 14-game sweep and clinch an outright Finals berth, sending the rest of the field into a stepladder.
The senior opposite spiker admitted she blamed herself for the crucial error.
‘I couldn’t help but blame myself before because it really was my fault,’ said Panique in Filipino. ‘So this game, I just gave my best to make up for the team and to help us secure that No. 2 spot so we won’t have a harder path and can also get some rest.’
‘I think we all know we could’ve won that game. We just fell short in closing it out. It also comes down to how we play together as a team,’ she added.
Against UST on Wednesday, Panique unleashed 24 points off 21 kills, two blocks, and an ace to help save NU from a two-set deficit en route to the 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13 win.
‘For me, the main thing was to bounce back from our last loss. That’s really what motivated us. We’re also happy because you can really see our team effort and teamwork in this game,’ she said.
NU finished the elimination round with a 10-4 record and will have enough time to prepare for the last phase of the stepladder, where the finals berth against unbeaten La Salle is at stake.
UST and Far Eastern University will fight for the last semis berth on Saturday, with the winner taking on Adamson next on April 29.