BY ABBY TORALBA
FORMER champion National University is aching for redemption in the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament that opens shop this Saturday, Feb. 17.
Still smarting from last season’s finals loss to defending champion La Salle, the Lady Bulldogs want nothing but to regain the crown.
“Championship talaga,” sophomore hitter Vange Alinsug said. “Lahat kami simula pa lang noong pagkatapos ng Season 85, iyon na kaagad iyong goal namin na hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi namin makuha iyong championship sa Season 86.”
With the departure of libero Jen Nierva and wing spiker Cess Robles, Alinsug, along with stars Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon and Camilla Lamina are tasked to lead the Sampaloc-based belles.
“Iyong preparation naman namin after last season, nag-regroup kami siyempre. Binago namin lahat ng lapses at kulang namin as a team,” Alinsug said. “We’re making sure this season na hindi magbabago iyong goal namin.”
Asked if there is pressure on winning it all anew, the open hitter, who’s turning 21 this month said: “Pressure this season, hindi same as last season, pero mayroon pa rin ngayon.
Iyong ngayon kasi, alam namin kung ano iyong gusto namin. Alam namin kung ano iyong kukunin namin, iyong redemption nga, kasi gusto naming makabawi po talaga.”
NU had a productive off-season, capturing the title in the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Championships and flying the flag in the SEA V.League.
Coach Norman Miguel also returned to the squad, while erstwhile strategist Karl Dimaculangan slid to the deputy coach role.
Alinsug said their overseas stint did wonders.
