The NU Lady Bulldogs continue to etch their name into the history books here at the UAAP with the first-ever co-Finals MVPs--Shaira Jardio and Vange Alinsug.
Shaira Jardio and Vange Alinsug sweetened NU’s pot after winning the championship in UAAP Season 87, as they were named the first-ever co-Finals MVPs in league history after their Game Two performance against La Salle on Wednesday.
In a surprise move by head coach Sherwin Meneses and the NU coaching staff, the two veterans shared the honor of being the best players in the finals. The title included Php 50,000 from a league sponsor.
[READ: NU Lady Bulldogs assert UAAP dynasty with Game 2 sweep of La Salle for back-to-back titles]
After the celebrations, Meneses reflected on his decision and said that it was the most sound result that he and the coaching staff could’ve made.
Known for team wins throughout the season and even in the finals, it was hard to pinpoint one specific game changer, and at the end of the day, the first-time UAAP champion coach believed that his whole team was worthy of the plum.
“Actually, 'yung coaching staff naman ang namili dyan. Pinagusapang mabuti. Ayun. Happy naman ako, lahat naman sila MVP talaga para sakin,” said Meneses.
“Kasi 'yung panalo ngayon, pati sa Game One, talagang sobrang team effort talaga 'yung nangyari.”
Jardio and Alinsug fulfilled contrasting roles for NU, with the former anchoring the defense with 21 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions in the Game Two clincher.
Meanwhile, Alinsug had 10 points and six excellent digs.
[RELATED: Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio share Finals MVP honors as NU claims back-to-back UAAP titles]
As they prepare for an era without Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, Jardio and Alinsug said that the honor helped boost their confidence to continue NU’s winning tradition, even without the 1-2 punch of their graduating hitters.
“Sakin sobrang laki [na confidence booster ito] kasi gusto ko rin i-lead 'yung team namin. So parang 'yung finals na ‘to, na naging Finals MVP nga ako tsaka si Vangie, siguro ito na 'yung time na i-lead namin 'yung team kasi mawawala 'yung seniors namin,” said Jardio.
Alinsug said that there was still a long way to go for the both of them.
But at the moment, they’ll settle for a good night’s celebration.
“For me naman, may award man ako o wala, still, kami pa rin 'yung mag-li-lead sa susunod kaya room for improvements lang talaga kasi mahaba haba pa talaga. Pero ngayon, ie-enjoy lang namin itong panalo with the seniors,” she said.
Alinsug and Jardio’s co-Finals MVP win signals the turn of a new era for the Lady Bulldogs.
NU is looking to cement its dynasty in the years to come after winning their third title in the last four UAAP seasons.