Already a authentic powerhouse, Lady Bulldogs start laying dynasty-building groundwork

National University (NU) has established itself as a contemporary powerhouse within the UAAP girls’s volleyball event. And because the Lady Bulldogs stand at the fringe of a 2nd directly crown, a conventional heavyweight stands of their method.

Beyond NU’s resolution not to let La Salle wreck its grand pursuit, there may be the truth that cornerstones Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon—the standouts who covered their faculty some of the most sensible star-creating methods within the nation—may well be enjoying their ultimate sport in combination in blue and gold.

For them, profitable the Season 87 identify has long gone past cementing the Lady Bulldogs’ standing as titans of the game. It’s about toning up the groundwork for long term luck.

“I’m very happy because [we have a chance] to leave the younger players something. And hopefully, we can really leave something beautiful,” Belen, the workforce’s skipper who used to be named this season’s Most Valuable Player, mentioned of the 5 p.m. fit at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the place NU can finish La Salle’s hopes and run away with a 3rd crown in 4 years.

Solomon echoed that sentiment, reflecting at the dedication they made again once they had been doe-eyed children—person who helped grease the trail for the Lady Bulldogs’ endured upward push.

“For me, I’m proud because we’ve left a history since Season 84. Before we even entered the collegiate level, we already told our batchmates that we’d deliver a championship to NU. And I think that’s how this all started,” mentioned Solomon, the ace reverse hitter who is anticipated to discover alternatives in another country.

“I’m very happy because most of our high school teammates continued at NU in college,” Belen added. “It’s a big factor in how we’re moving now, because we all know each other.”

A triumph towards the Lady Spikers could be a storybook finishing for the Lady Bulldogs, who’re out to claim their mastery of volleyball’s modern day contention.

Peerless RDJ

“I keep telling the players that the closeout game is the hardest,” mentioned NU trainer Sherwin Meneses, who’s out to brighten his already spectacular resume with a primary collegiate identify.

His intestine really feel isn’t unfounded. History presentations that La Salle is in a position to pulling the rug from underneath its combatants in this level, having dropped a chain opener most effective to typhoon again and scouse borrow the crown.

The Cha Cruz-starred Lady Spikers did simply that towards Far Eastern University throughout Season 71 in March 2009, and alternatively towards archrival Ateneo 3 years later in Season 74.

Both cases had been additionally underneath the watchful eye of the peerless Ramil de Jesus, the architect in the back of La Salle’s 12 championships.

De Jesus had mentioned he’s hoping his workforce can crank up its surroundings play, and draw extra from stars Angel Canino and Shevana Laput because the Lady Spikers got down to reclaim the {hardware} they remaining held two years in the past.

“La Salle won’t go down without a fight,” Meneses mentioned in a separate chat with the Inquirer. “Their fighting spirit is something else.” INQ