Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen are locked in and laser-focused, but they also promise to keep their emotions in check as they prepare for what could be their final match in a National University jersey — a culmination of their decorated UAAP careers.
If the NU Lady Bulldogs complete a sweep of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Finals at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, it will mark the end of an era for the duo, who have been with the program since their high school days.
Both Belen and Solomon are certified NU lifers. Belen joined the program in Season 77 back in 2015, while Solomon followed in Season 79 in 2017.
From their beginnings as blue-chip recruits to their rise as national stars, the pair has been central to the Lady Bulldogs’ resurgence in the UAAP.
If Game 2 truly ends up being their swan song, the two remain proud of the legacy they’ll leave behind, having brought NU within reach of its third women’s volleyball title in four seasons.
(C) UAAP Season 85 Media Team
“Ako, proud ako kasi may naiwan kaming history simula nung Season 84. Parang, before pa lang kami mag-enter ng collegiate, parang sinasabi na naming magkaka-batch na bibigyan natin ng championship ‘tong NU. So, ayun, siguro ayun po yung start ng dynasty namin,” Solomon shared.
Their impact is undeniable. As rookies, Belen and Solomon spearheaded NU’s historic Season 84 campaign, breaking a 65-year title drought and completing an undefeated sweep in 2022.
Now, the tandem is locked in on delivering one final “golden bark” before departing the program that shaped them.
For Belen, the two-time UAAP MVP reflected on how their chemistry and cohesion — built from their dominant high school years — carried over to the collegiate level.
She helped NU Girls’ Volleyball to four championships, one runner-up finish, and collected several individual accolades, including two MVPs and a Best Outside Hitter award.
In the collegiate division, she added two more titles, back-to-back Best Outside Hitter honors, and the rare distinction of being the league’s first-ever Rookie-MVP in Season 84.
“I’m very happy lang kasi karamihan doon sa team namin nung high school nag-continue sa NU sa college, so malaking factor siya sa ginagalaw namin ngayon kasi kilalang-kilala na namin yung bawat isa and nakikita naman po namin sa laro kung paano siya nakakatulong sa amin.
“I’m very happy lang kasi may naiiwan kami sa mga bata, lalo na marami pong susunod pa sa amin so sana may maiwan kaming maganda,” Belen shared.
Still, despite what’s at stake, both stars emphasized the importance of treating Game 2 as just another match — especially with the Lady Bulldogs now in position to avenge their painful loss to La Salle in the Season 85 Finals.
To achieve back-to-back titles, NU must stay composed and finish the job against a hungry La Salle squad bent on forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Sa’kin naman, after nitong Game 1, move forward na agad kami. Tatrabahuin namin kung ano yung mga pagkukulang namin and ayun nga, sa emotions naman, parang maging masaya tayo ngayon pero bukas trabaho naman ulit,” said Solomon.
“Ako for me, hindi naman namin masyado iniisip na talagang nanalo kami ngayong Game 1 kasi hindi pa naman po tapos. Kailangan pa namin maipanalo yung Game 2 para makuha namin yung championship. Siguro kailangan namin pag-aralan pa yung game namin today kasi parang meron pa kaming pwedeng ma-improve pagdating sa Game 2,” Belen added.
“Hindi ko naman nakikita sa teammates ko na mao-overconfident kami pagdating ng Game 2 kasi parang hindi kami nakakampante sa anong ginagawa namin. Siguro ngayon masaya kami kasi siyempre po, nanalo ng Game 1. Pero tomorrow balik na ulit kami sa training.”
As Wednesday’s Game 2 looms, Belen and Solomon stand just one win away from cementing their names in NU history books — not just as champions, but as pioneers of a new Lady Bulldogs dynasty.
Whether or not it’s their final game, the legacy they leave behind is already written in gold.
