LEAVING a lasting legacy for the gold-and-blue squad, newly-minted back-to-back UAAP champions Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon made their last hurrah for the National University something special to remember.
Belen and Solomon, who are now expected to shine in the pro league, led the Lady Bulldogs in capturing their first UAAP back-to-back titles in school history.
The Lady Bulldogs swept the best-of-three finals series last Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, humbling De La Salle University in Game 2 via a 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 win.
The win was the Sampaloc-based crew’s third championship in four seasons and NU’s fifth overall UAAP title.
“I’m very happy kasi maganda iyong maiiwan namin sa susunod na batch. Talagang pinaghirapan ng bawat isa – hindi lang naman kami. Syempre, malaki tulong din iyong mga coaches kasi sila iyong nag-guide sa amin. Talagang trinabaho ng bawat isa ngayong season kasi marami kaming challenges na naharap, pero hindi kami bumigay. Talagang sipag at tiyaga lang nagdala sa amin,” said Belen who was named the season’s MVP, her third in four seasons.
Solomon said: “Syempre proud ako na aalis ako na champion kasi eto naman kasi talaga iyong goal namin this season na mabigyan ng back-to-back championship iyong NU. So, ayun po, sinusukli lang po namin sa kanila ‘yung support sa amin.”
The two bemedalled aces realized their dreams for NU, giving glory to their alma mater since their high school days at NU-Nazareth School.
Belen, 22, said she will cherish the memories she had with her teammates as well as the love and support from the NU community.
“Ako siguro iyong mga teammates ko talaga and iyong community. Kasi iyong teammates ko matagal ko na nakasama, parang 11 years ko na rin silang kasama. Pag nilook back ko iyong panahon ko sa NU, sila agad ang una kong maaalala. Hindi iyong mga championship, hindi iyong mga trophy, kumbaga iyong pagsasama namin kasi iyon iyong hindi mapapalitan ng kahit sino – iyong nabuo namin na Samahan,” she said.
“I’m very thankful din na sa NU ako napunta at hindi ko sinukuan iyong pangarap ko at sa NU ko siya tinuloy, kasi parang kalahati ng buhay ko nasa NU ako – kalahati talaga, 22 [years old] na ako ‘eh, 11 years ako na nasa NU. Marami akong natutunan din kahit dumaan kami sa iba’t-ibang coaches [at] players, talagang iyong NU management, hindi nila kami pinabayaan. Kumbaga, inalagaan nila kami, hindi nila kami tinuring na basta player lang, tinuring kami na parang anak talaga sa NU. Malaking part siya ng buhay ko na pwede kong madala sa susunod na career ko. Kumbaga iyong mga lessons na natutunan ko, madadala ko siya sa next level,” she added.
Belen and Solomon are confident that the teammates they will leave behind will continue NU’s success, saying they have what it takes.
Among those who will banner NU next season are co-Finals Most Valuable Players Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio.
“Malaki ang tiwala namin, lalo na sa mga maiiwan. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanila and sa ibang teammates ko na maiiwan kasi syempre, sa training pa lang, kita na namin kung gaano sila ka-hardworking and kilala namin sila personally na hindi nila papabayaan iyong team, na kahit sino man iyong grumaduate or kung sino man iyong umalis. Talagang alam ko na in good hands pa rin iyong NU,” said Belen.
Belen and Solomon said they intend to further their respective careers abroad or in the local scene.
