THERE’S no stopping National University, for now.
The reigning UAAP champion completed a tournament sweep at the expense of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.
The Sampaloc-based crew, led by eventual MVP Bella Belen, outlasted FEU 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10 in Game 2 of their title match last Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Belen and Arah Panique were supposed to miss the crucial stretch of the SSL to join the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team’s training camp in Japan but the nationals’ flight was moved, making both spikers available for the Lady Bulldogs.
NU’s title triumph should prop up the Lady Bulldogs’ preparations for their drive for a second straight UAAP crown and to give their young players the needed exposure, according to coach Norman Miguel.
“Masaya kasi actually, ang participation namin dito is para ma-expose iyong mga bago na kung umabot sa finals grateful, kasi nga mas priority itong mga bago tapos ine-expect pa namin iyong tatlong national (team) players namin hindi aabot sa finals, hanggang semis lang,” Miguel said. “Siguro nag-align iyong mga stars na na-move iyong (biyahe) nila, iyong pagpunta nila sa Japan (yesterday) flight nila and umabot kami sa finals.
“I think iyong mentality namin since nabuo naman tayo, although technically hindi pa rin buo kasi may mga injured pa sila (Sheena) Toring, (Vange) Alinsug, Alyssa Solomon, ‘di ba?” he added.
Miguel has his eye out on the future.
“Malaking bagay kasi iyon kasi hindi naman laging masanay sila na iyong first six (lagi) iyong naglalaro. Paano kapag may nangyari tapos paano kapag iyong time na talagang tapos na sila sa UAAP careers nila so iyong mga new breed na talaga iyong dapat maka-experience na competitive na laro,” he said.
Aside from winning the top plum, Belen was also named the Best Outside Hitter along with College of St. Benilde’s Wielyn Estoque; Zam Nolasco of the Lady Blazers and Jean Asis of FEU took home the Best Middle Blocker awards; Letran’s Judiel Nitura received the Best Opposite Spiker plum, while NU’s Camilla Lamina and Shaira Jardio were hailed as the Best Setter and Best Libero, respectively.
