Four National University seniors have committed to play for their last player year in the UAAP as the Lady Bulldogs seek for their second straight championship come Season 85.
NU announced the development on social media and confirmed that the four Lady Bulldogs namely Princess Robles, Jen Nierva, Ivy Lacsina, and Joyme Cagande, are set to exhaust their last playing years in the league.
"The NU Athletics Office has just confirmed that the NUWVT graduating senior players; Princess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, Ivy Lacsina and Joyme Cagande will be playing their last and final season in UAAP Season 85," the tweet read.
All four have been key cogs for the Lady Bulldogs as Robles was hailed Finals Most Valuable Player in Season 84, where NU made a historic season sweep.
After sitting out in Season 82, Robles made an explosive comeback in Season 84 and served as team captain for the team. Nierva, also a veteran, helped Robles in terms of leadership skills but most importantly as the Lady Bulldogs' floor defender which made her the season's Best Libero.
Lacsina also showed promise on the frontline as NU's middle blocker while Cagande served as a backup setter for Camilla Lamina, who won the Best Setter honor in her rookie year.
Expect an intact core for the Lady Bulldogs as the four will play with incoming sophomores rookie-MVP and First Best Spiker Michaela Belen, Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon, Lamina, and Second Best Middle Blocker Sheena Toring.
In a report by Tiebreaker Times, however, Lacsina's father Gilber said his daughter is set to play for a professional club in the PVL.
NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan has yet to comment regarding the development when contacted by the Manila Bulletin on Wednesday morning, Aug. 3.
"I will give a statement na lang po regarding our senior players. Hopefully po mamaya," said Dimaculangan.