Through ups, downs, and all points in between, the NU Lady Bulldogs have once again put themselves back on top of UAAP women's volleyball.
From a 16-0 sweep in UAAP Season 84, to falling short of retaining the title in Season 85, to now reclaiming the crown in Season 86, National University has gone through it all.
Redemption has always been the goal for the Lady Bulldogs this season. However, getting there wasn’t always that easy.
In their first game in Season 86, NU experienced a stinging straight-set defeat at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas.
The Lady Bulldogs’ form was shaky at times. But keeping the team in the championship mix was the all-around performance of Bella Belen.
The newly-minted Season 86 MVP gave her all to help the Lady Bulldogs secure their second championship in three years, proving their doubters wrong once more.
“Proud ako sa team ko kasi nagkaroon kami ng mga talo this season at maraming mga taong hindi naniwala sa amin from that loss, lalo na yung una naming talo which is sa UST,” Belen said during the post-game press conference.
“Marami talagang nag-doubt sa amin na ‘di na namin kaya mag-Finals. Pero pinakita naman namin sa team na parang, 'Anong ‘di kayang mag-Finals? NU pa rin kami, kaya namin,'” she added.
As Belen and the Lady Bulldogs celebrated their championship, the 21-year-old outside hitter couldn't be prouder of how united the team was throughout the ups and downs of their title run.
“Kahit natalo kami at maraming taong nag-doubt, talagang buo pa rin kami at sama-samang lumaban,” said Belen. “Kailangan lang namin maglaro as one kasi walang makakatalo sa amin pag lahat kami gustong manalo at ‘yun ‘yung nakita ko throughout the season.”