NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU) Lady Bulldogs completed their historic title defense by sweeping the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 Finals, winning their first back-to-back championship.
There’s no better way to send off two of your most productive outgoing players, Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, than by delivering them another championship trophy, precisely as it normally ends in storybooks.
The Lady Bulldogs are once again crowned queens of the women’s volleyball tournament, winning their third title in a very convincing way, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, over the Lady Spikers.
In front of 18,514 spectators at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, National U finally achieved what they had been pursuing for years: a back-to-back title, which the Lady Spikers had denied them two years previously.
BARK-to-BARK Champs
NU earned its fifth UAAP championship overall, winning its first two in Seasons 16 and 18. After winning Season 84, they had the opportunity to make history, but they left Season 85 in the hands of DLSU.
With that in mind, Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses gave his all to capture his maiden UAAP title as a coach. Nonetheless, he credited his senior players for bringing the entire team together and developing strong camaraderie.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Sobrang thankful ako sa mga seniors kasi yung chemistry na nabuo namin within eight months, sobrang bilis kasi yung leadership nila especially Bella talagang napakagaling niyang maghandle ng team,” Meneses said.
“Knowing Coach Ramil, yung sistema niya talagang buong-buo na. Naglalaro pa lang ako, Coach Ramil na siya. Masaya ako na nakalaban namin siya at this time, nanalo naman,” he went on to say.
The Best Exit
Belen, who was emotional throughout the afternoon, finished her collegiate career on a high note, becoming a three-time UAAP champion, three-time Season Most Valuable Player, and Rookie of the Year.
Furthermore, she delivered a performance of 18 points, 11 digs, and eight receptions to assist the team win its third championship in four years. Belen had a range of emotions after playing her final game in the UAAP.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Sobrang saya, hindi ko ma-explain yung feeling talaga. Parang naghahalo na lungkot, saya, excited, parang lahat na. I’m super happy kasi nagawa namin yung goal namin this season,” Belen said.
“Hindi siya naging madali for us, nagkaroon kami ng mga talo and marami beses namin kwinestiyon kung tama ba ginagawa namin. Sa pagttiyaga at pagiging masipag namin, ayon, nakamit din namin yung goal namin this season,” she added.
Passing of Torch
For the first time in the history of the UAAP Volleyball Finals, two players were chosen co-Most Valuable Players. Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio received ₱50,000 apiece as the Spotify co-Finals MVPs.
Throughout the season, Alinsug has been praised as a potential successor to Belen, while Jardio has served as the team’s defensive anchor. Giving a taste of how bright the future can be with them at the helm.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Sa akin, sobrang laki [ng boost] kasi gusto ko din i-lead yung team. So parang yung finals na to, siguro ito na yung time na i-lead namin yung team kasi mawawala na yung seniors namin,” Jardio told the media after the game.
On the other hand, Alinsug understands that leading the squad next season will be a tremendous responsibility for them, especially given the exits of Solomon and Belen, who played major roles in their winning season.
“Kahit sobrang hirap nilang palitan, madami pang buwan, para pagtrabahuhan namin yun na kami-kami na lang and gawin namin silang inspiration,” she said.
Meanwhile, in men’s volleyball, the reigning champions NU Bulldogs forced a Game 3 against the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday at the same Pasay site.
