With seniors Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon nearing the end of their UAAP careers, National University needed someone to step up and show that the future remains just as bright.
On Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Vange Alinsug proved she was ready for the mantle.
The Cebuana outside hitter delivered a composed yet commanding performance in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament Finals, leading the Lady Bulldogs to a 25–17, 25–21, 13–25, 25–17 win over De La Salle University — and moving NU within one win of a historic back-to-back championship.
Alinsug erupted for a season-high 21 points, showing poise beyond her years and a killer instinct that reaffirmed NU’s continuity even as the Belen-Solomon era nears its close.
“First of all, happy kami kasi nakuha namin yung Game 1,” said Alinsug.
“Ito yung pinaka-importante talaga so magtuloy-tuloy lang kami kasi yung six days namin na training, nagbunga ngayon. Meron kaming two days ulit para kunin yung Game 2. Yun lang po.”
It wasn’t the first time Alinsug shone brightest against the Lady Spikers — she had dropped a career-high 22 points on La Salle back in Season 86 — but this time, her performance carried a heavier weight.
In the biggest match of her career to date, she showed that NU’s future is in capable hands.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Alyssa Solomon, who added nine points, praised her younger teammate not just for her performance under the lights but for the work that happens behind closed doors.
“Siyempre, sobrang proud ako kay Ate Vange,” said Solomon.“Nakita ko na every training talaga pinagtatrabahuan niya. Lagi kong sinasabi na (sa) training pa lang, start na ng competition. Kung binibigay mo yung 100% mo sa training, yun yung lalabas sa game.
“Very proud ako kay Ate Vange.”
Alinsug, however, credited her development to the team’s tight-knit chemistry and the standards set in practice — something that veterans like Belen have helped cultivate.
“Actually, yun nga, sabi ni ate Bella (Belen) na malaking factor sa amin na kilalang-kilala namin yung isa’t isa kasi sa training din nagsisimula talaga,” said Alinsug.
“Kung may lutang, nadadala rin sa laro. Ina-approach na namin yung six days at pinag-uusapan namin yun. Alam namin kung pano siya babawi.”
In the UAAP Finals, the team that wins Game 1 usually ends up hoisting the trophy. That history now favors the Lady Bulldogs, who will aim to close the series out on Wednesday with momentum firmly on their side and a new leader emerging from their ranks.
Still, Alinsug knows nothing is guaranteed, and the real work begins again in practice.
“Hindi naman po ito first time sa akin at sa amin,” she said.
“Mindset lang namin ay ilaro lang yung nilalaro namin palagi at nagsisimula nga sa training. Happy ako kasi napakita namin ngayong Game 1.”
