Wherever she takes her talents next, Alyssa Solomon will always have the winning foundations from her time representing National University.
Along with Bella Belen, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring, towering opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon will be leaving the four corners of National University with a legacy built on winning.
Now that her UAAP career is all said and done, Solomon will enter her next chapter as a six-time champion, one-time Finals Most Valuable Player, and a five-time Best Opposite Hitter, having found success since her time as a Nazareth School-NU Lady Bullpup.
But how exactly has National U shaped Alyssa Solomon into the volleyball star that she is today? For the towering spiker, it all goes back to the winning culture she and her batchmates established during their stay with National U.
“Late ako pumasok [sa NU], pero noong nandoon ako, nakita ko kung gaano ka-hardworking ‘yung mga teammate ko, na parang kahit anong ipagawa mo, gagawin talaga nila,” Solomon reflected moments after NU clinched their UAAP Season 87 title on Wednesday against the DLSU Lady Spikers.
“Yun, parang ‘yung memories namin together doon sa mga hirap ng sitwasyon, kasi magkakasama pa rin kami na hinaharap ‘yun, and kami ‘yung gumagawa ng solusyon kung paano mababago ‘yung sitwasyon.”
Without a doubt, it was this culture that allowed Alyssa Solomon and her batchmates to exit the UAAP on a triumphant note, with National U closing out the DLSU Lady Spikers in a dominant Game 2 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Before nearly 20,000 fans in attendance, Solomon shone brightly for the final time as a UAAP star, finishing with 13 points and five digs to join a balanced, but overwhelming offense against the Lady Spikers.
“Special sya kasi nga na-achieve na namin ‘yung goal namin, ‘yun nga, mabigyan ‘yung NU ng back-to-back championships which is ‘yun ‘yung goal namin nung Season 85. So parang ang nangyari is bawi namin to doon sa heartbreak na yun,” Solomon said of her final UAAP title as a Lady Bulldog.
Overseas career next?
Now that her amateur career is all said and done, all eyes will be on whether or not Alyssa Solomon will be starting her professional career overseas, especially after withdrawing from the Korean V-League draft last March due to longstanding UAAP rules on amateurism.
While overseas opportunities will always be on her radar, rest will be of utmost priority for Solomon after another UAAP title run, along with her preparations for a potential Alas Pilipinas national team call-up.
“Pahinga muna ‘yung nilo-look forward ko. Kung may opportunities overseas, i-grab na natin, kasi for experience rin naman. Pero may Alas din po eh, so siguro ‘yun din, Alas din,” Solomon replied when asked about her next career steps.
“Open naman po ako sa kahit anong opportunities, pero for now talaga, rest muna ng katawan.”
Still, Solomon won’t be resting on her laurels entirely, knowing that the professional scene will be a major change of scenery from her comfort zone in the UAAP and with the Lady Bulldogs.
“Siguro, bukod sa recovery, need ko magpalakas pa ng katawan kasi aalis na ako ng NU, magbabago na ‘yung sistema, so ‘yun ang paghahandaan ko,” the pride of Sta. Rosa, Laguna acknowledged.
Wherever she will take her talents next, Alyssa Solomon will now be bringing an immense amount of talent, along with a winning mindset that was sharpened throughout her years in donning National U’s blue and gold threads.
“Sobrang thankful ako napunta ako sa NU kasi nakita ko, ayun nga, kung gaano ka-hard working ‘yung mga teammates ko and syempre, pag nakikita mong nagtatrabaho ‘yung teammates parang ikaw nalang din yung mahihiya na hindi gumalaw ng ayos.”
Banner images courtesy of Cas Aseoche, UAAP Media Bureau.