National University essayed an emphatic ending to its dominant campaign in Season 87 when it beat De La Salle University for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball title late Thursday.
And at the heart of that magical triumph was a group of stars who made a promise to stay together to sustain the winning tradition of the school that suffered a 65-year title drought before winning three titles in the past four years.
Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan all played their final game in the collegiate ranks with a bang as they towed the Lady Bulldogs to a dominant 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 victory over the Lady Spikers to win the UAAP crown.
The quartet, which rose through the National University-Nazareth School system before leading the Lady Bulldogs to a golden age in women’s volleyball, left behind a legacy that helped shape the school’s volleyball dynasty.
“I’m overwhelmed. I really can’t explain how I feel. There’s joy, sadness, excitement — everything’s mixed,” Belen said after wrapping up her storied UAAP career as a three-time Season Most Valuable Player (MVP), putting her on the same level with UAAP legends like Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo de Manila University and Ailyn Ege of Far Eastern University.
“It wasn’t easy for us. But because of our patience and hard work, we finally achieved our goal this season.”
The triumph was especially sweet for NU, which was still reeling from its Season 85 finals loss to La Salle — a defeat that ended what could have been a four-peat dynasty.
Determined not to let history repeat itself, the Lady Bulldogs entered Game 2 with unwavering focus. With NU up 16-13 in the third set, Belen, Pangilinan, and Alexa Mata sparked a decisive 7-3 blitz to shut the door on the Lady Spikers and seal the title.
“Our chemistry formed so quickly over the past eight months,” NU head coach Sherwin Meneses said after steering NU to the crown in his first year at the helm.
“Bella’s leadership in particular was exceptional. She really knew how to manage this team.”
Meneses also silenced critics who had labeled him “lucky” for taking over a stacked roster headed by the players known as the “golden generation.”
“Every training, every game — that’s our job. We’re here to guide the players,” he said.
“People can say what they want.”
NU’s journey to the top wasn’t without bumps. The Lady Bulldogs suffered elimination-round losses to UP and Adamson, but they hit their stride when it mattered most.
In the finals, co-MVPs Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio stood out. Alinsug with her 21-point explosion in Game 1, while Jardio anchored the defense with 21 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions — crucial in neutralizing La Salle’s power-hitters.
The championship series also marked the end of an era for NU, as Solomon confirmed she will explore overseas opportunities following her final UAAP appearance.
“If opportunities abroad come, I’ll grab them. It’s all for the experience. But for now, I just need to rest,” Solomon, the Season 86 finals MVP, said.
With the power quartet formally bidding the collegiate scene goodbye, NU will now lean on its emerging stars bannered by Alinsug, Jardio, Mata, Arah Panique and veteran playmaker Lams Lamina as well as its solid recruitment base to sustain its dominance.
“Recruitment is really the key these days. Hopefully, with the players we have, NU will continue to succeed in the coming years,” Meneses said, happy to have been part of the journey of this golden generation of NU stars.