The NU Lady Bulldogs ushered in a new challenge of shooting for the UAAP Season 88 championship sans Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
It’s easy to count NU out after losing players like Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
But the Lady Bulldogs have proven out of the gate that they’re still very much in the title conversation in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball.
Flanked by key holdovers Vange Alinsug and Arah Panique, and a budding rookie ace Sam Cantada in tow, NU entered into a new era with a gritty four-set win over title contenders UST in their opening game at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
[RELATED: Defending champ NU douses UST's fiery fightback for first win in UAAP volleyball]
Despite going into the matchup with significantly less firepower than last season, the Lady Bulldogs still showed championship pedigree.
NU seized a commanding 2-0 lead over the Golden Tigresses and endured a hiccup in Set 3 care of Angge Poyos and UST rookie Julia Balingit to finish the game in Set 4.
For team captain Alinsug, the whole ordeal was proof that when talent leaves NU, there’s enough to go around to recover the coming year.
“Actually, for us naman kasi naging positive talaga kami kasi kami 'yung lamang. So, talagang nilaban namin 'yung fourth set kasi alam namin pag magfi-fifth set pa 'yun baka mahirapan talaga kami sa UST,” Alinsug said fo the team’s mindset against the Golden Tigresses.
“And ayun, happy lang din ako kasi kahit nabawasan yung, sa loob nabawasan 'yung first six team mayroon pumalit sa amin and inapply parin nila kung ano yung role nila," she added.
Alinsug, a co-finals MVP last season with libero Shaira Jardio, led the list of holdovers for new head coach Regine Diego which also includes the likes of Chams Maaya and setters Lams Lamina and Abe Pono.
Consistency over star power
Still, the next generation of NU Lady Bulldogs proved pivotal in the opening day victory.
Alinsug herself beamed with pride at Cantada’s 21-point outing, which also featured a key role in a pivotal 5-0 run in the fourth set that turned the tables on their opponents.
At the end of the day, she hopes that the 18-year-old’s growth continues with the Lady Bulldogs program, especially as she is primed to take over the team in the coming years.
"Actually, sobrang proud ako kasi syempre rookie year niya and nakikita ko talaga sa kanya na gusto nya din talaga ilaban 'yung point kanina especially nung kanina," Alinsug said.
"So sana din is magtuloy-tuloy lang din 'yung game namin and sana magtuloy-tuloy lang din 'yung ginawa namin -- 'yung consistency namin," she added.
The Lady Bulldogs face another promising talent in Shaina Nitura in their next game on Wednesday, February 18, against the Adamson Lady Falcons at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
[ALSO READ: Adamson pummels Ateneo for strong start to UAAP Season 88 women's volley bid]
Alinsug expressed caution in getting ready for the Lady Falcons who also won their season opener against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Adamson din kasi is palaban sila and madami ring rookies sa kanila. And 'yun, paghahanda naman siya sa ensayo din," said Alinsug.
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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.