Defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs move on to UAAP Season 88 without former stalwart Camille Clarin and ex-head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
Angel Surada will be looking to play a bigger role, as the NU Lady Bulldogs enter a new era in UAAP Season 88 with an All-Filipino lineup and a new head coach in Da Olan.
With former team captain Camille Clarin already graduated from the NU team, Surada will be leaned upon more by the Lady Bulldogs.
A decorated player herself, Surada is eager to take the responsibility in stride.
“As a senior, kailangan kong i-lead yung teammate ko. Not just only on the court, especially off the court,” said Surada.
“At syempre, kailangan namin maging consistent kasi hindi magiging madali yung season na ‘to.”
The NU Lady Bulldogs are vying for their 9th title in the last 10 editions of UAAP women’s basketball. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
Still the same
Despite the new system under Olan, and the exit of Clarin, Surada knows that there is still the same championship pedigree within the team.
Remembering all the lessons from their former head coach Dimaunahan, Surada believes that they have enough left in the tank to shoot for another title — this time their 9th title in the last 10 editions of UAAP women’s basketball.
Going up against an increasingly competitive field with the likes of UST, Adamson, Ateneo, and the rest of the league trying to play catchup, NU will need to stay on its toes each and every time.
“Lagi ko lang tinatandaan yung binibilin ni coach Aris sa amin dati na one game at a time,” Surada said.
“Never take every kalaban for granted kasi you never know what happened. Enjoy every game,” she continued.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.