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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Familiarity, bond keys to NU's success

Familiarity, bond keys to NU's success

Published May 15, 2025 02:19 pm

At A Glance

  • The National University Lady Bulldogs further established themselves as the undisputed queens of UAAP volleyball with a victory over the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in Season 87 finals.
NU Lady Bulldogs are UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball champions. (UAAP Media)
NU Lady Bulldogs are UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball champions. (UAAP Media)

The National University Lady Bulldogs further established themselves as the undisputed queens of UAAP volleyball with a victory over the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in Season 87 finals.

But for all the reasons they are the strongest in recent years, the Sampaloc spikers only needed familiarity and bond to become the poster girls of dominance in collegiate play.

Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring suited up in their last game for NU when the school toppled DLSU, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, in Game 2 to hoist their fifth overall title at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, May 14.

The 22-year-old Belen, who was at the core of NU's success with three titles and three Most Valuable Player plums under her belt, credited it all to her relationship with her teammates since their high school days.

“Iba po kasi talaga ‘yong bond na meron kami and malaking bagay po talaga nagkakasama-sama kami since high school, kasi iba po talaga ‘yong nabuo namin relationship on and off the court,” said Belen.

“Siguro ‘yon po talaga isa sa mga nakatulong samin kaya po namin nakamit ‘to,” she added.

The four players all came from the NU juniors program which became one of the hottest teams in the high school division. Lams Lamina, Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio were also part of the squad and are expected to be the next faces of the Bulldogs.

“‘Yong mga teammates ko matagal ko nang mga nakasama ‘yan, parang halos 11 years ko na sila nakasama, so pag pag ni-look back ko ‘yong panahon ko sa NU sila agad ‘yong unang maalala ko,” said an emotional Belen.

“Hindi ‘yong championship, hindi ‘yong mga trophy, kumbaga ‘yong samahan namin kasi ‘yong ‘di mapapalitan ng kahit sino, ‘yong nabuo naming samahan,” Belen added.

“Nando’n ako, nakita ko kung paano ka-hard working ‘yong mga teammates ko na kahit anong ipagawa mo gagawin nila,” Solomon continued. “‘Yong memories namin sa lahat ng hirap ng sitwasyon kasi magkakasama parin kami na hinaharap ‘yon and sama-sama rin kaming gumagawa ng paraan para malampasan ‘yon.”

Alinsug and Jardio rose to spotlight after being named as co-MVPs of the finals series, providing ample support which was pivotal against the talent-laden La Salle that boasted the likes of Angel Canino and Shevana Laput.

“Saken sobrang laki, kasi gusto kong i-lead ‘yong team namin, siguro ‘to narin ‘yong time na ma-lead namin sila kasi mawawala na ‘yong mga veterans namin,” said Jardio.

“May award man o wala, still kami parin ‘yong magli-lead sa susunod, kaya room of improvement lang talaga kasi mahaba-haba pa ‘yong tatrabahuhin namin,” added Alinsug.

Related Tags

NU Lady Bulldogs UAAP Finals Bella Belen Alyssa Solomon
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