The NU Lady Bulldogs remain in good hands, even if the Bella Belen-led Golden Generation will make their exit from the UAAP.
With the NU Lady Bulldogs at championship point, 24-19, Shaira Jardio dug a backrow spike attempt from Angel Canino, which doubled as the perfect pass to now two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina.
For the final time this season, Lamina would work her magic, tricking the La Salle blockers as she set up outside hitter Vange Alinsug through a combination play involving her and graduating middle blocker Erin Pangilinan.
Alinsug then fired for a sharp crosscourt hit — with only a delayed blocker in sight — that bounced off the arms of Lady Spikers’ libero Lyka de Leon and into the SM Mall of Asia Arena stands to complete the Lady Bulldogs’ bid for back-to-back titles.
If anything, it was a symbolic passing of the torch within Jhocson as National U’s Golden Generation of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring have reached the inevitable conclusion of their UAAP careers.
“I think yes, [it’s our time to shine], knowing na aalis na talaga sila, and sana sa mga maiiwan is madala namin ito sa susunod na season,” said Alinsug moments after National U’s title romp over the Lady Spikers.
“Alam ko din naman na kahit wala na ‘yung seniors namin sa first six, madaming mawawala, meron ding mas malakas pa na papalit. And ayun, paghihirapan namin ‘yun hanggang sa mag-season ulit.”
Further reinforcing their status as National U’s next set of leaders, Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio capped off Season 87 as the first-ever co-Finals Most Valuable Players in UAAP volleyball history.
The explosive Alinsug averaged 15.5 markers in NU’s two-game sweep over the DLSU Lady Spikers, which included a 21-point effort in Game 1 as she stole the show from the one-two punch of Belen and Solomon.
Jardio was crucial to neutralizing the DLSU offense, putting up 24.5 excellent receptions and 15 excellent digs in their short but sweet finals series. As the icing on the cake, Jardio also became the first libero since Dawn Macandili-Catindig in UAAP Season 80 to be hailed as Finals MVP.
“Sobrang laking [bagay to be named Finals MVP], kasi gusto ko din i-lead ‘yung team namin, so parang ‘yung finals na ito, naging finals MVP na ako at si Vangie, siguro ito na ‘yung time na i-lead namin ‘yung team kasi mawawala ‘yung seniors namin,” Jardio reflected.
Alinsug added, “For me naman, may award man ako or wala, still, kami pa rin ‘yung magiging leader sa susunod na [season]. Kaya room for improvements talaga, kasi mahaba-haba pa talaga, pero ngayon i-enjoy lang namin itong panalo with the senior citizens.”
Capable hands
For their part, Belen and Solomon are confident that National U will continue to thrive even if the Golden Generation exits the UAAP, given the work ethic they have seen from their underclassmen.
On top of Jardio and Alinsug emerging as leaders, Lamina might just stay for her fifth and final year with the Lady Bulldogs, while middle blockers Chammy Maaya and Alexa Mata are set for another run.
Younger talents, such as Alas Pilipinas stalwart Arah Panique, and homegrown rookie Celine Marsh, are also expected to get heavier minutes starting this Season 88.
“Malaki po ang tiwala namin lalo sa mga maiiwan and sa ibang teammates namin na maiiwan kasi syempre, training pa lang nakikita na namin kung gaano sila ka-hardworking and kilala namin sila personally na hindi nila papabayaan ‘yung team, na kahit sino man ang grumaduate or kung sino man ang umalis,” Belen said.
Added Solomon, “Nakita namin kung gaano sila ka-mature i-handle ‘yung team, kung gaano nila ka-gusto akuin ‘yung role na naiwan sa kanila.”
On top of this, National U’s holdovers have also inherited countless lessons from their seniors, which they will always take to heart as they try to uphold the winning culture that has been long embedded in Jhocson.
For Shaira Jardio, the value of patience will serve as the biggest lesson she has learned from playing with Belen and company.
“Kasi lagi akong nago-overthink, everytime na nagkakamali ako. Lagi ‘yan, pag sinasabi ni Coach She [Meneses] na ‘bawi ka lang, bawi ka lang!’. So ayun, ‘yun ‘yung natutunan ko na kapag nagkakamali, i-let go na lang agad, and focus na sa next na gagawin.”
Vange Alinsug, meanwhile, hopes to embody the fighting spirit she has witnessed from her now-graduating seniors.
“Kasi example ko na lang si Ate Bel talaga, kasi nakikita ko talaga sa kanya eh, na kahit makita namin na tambak kami, pero pag titignan mo siya parang magfa-fire up ka din!” Alinsug said as she pointed to her captain Belen. “Syempre kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ng kasama mo, dapat susundan mo din talaga eh!”
“So ‘yun lang, fighting spirit talaga nilang apat [Belen, Solomon, Pangilinan, Toring], kasi sobrang galing nilang leader sa loob ng court.”
Banner images courtesy of Cas Aseoche, UAAP Media Bureau.