May 15, 2024, will forever be a special date for National University.
Not only did the school win both the UAAP Men’s and Women’s Volleyball tournaments, but it also solidified its place as the top volleyball program in the country.
With the wins of the Lady Bulldogs, the Bulldogs, and the Bullpups – the latter winning the boys’ volleyball title last February – NU achieved a rare volleyball triple crown.
Only two other schools have achieved this feat: De La Salle University back in UAAP Season 66 and the University of Santo Tomas in Season 72.
“It takes a community to produce champions; it takes the effort of all the stakeholders to produce champions,” said NU Athletics Director Otie Camangian.
Since taking over National University back in 2008, school chairman Hans Sy has been a firm believer in having a linear program that starts in grade school and culminates at the collegiate level.
For the past 16 years, the Lady Bullpups have won six UAAP championships. The Bulldogs also won six, the Bullpups won five, while the Lady Bulldogs won two.
That’s 18 championships in total.
But it took a village to build the NU empire.
“Rome was not built in a day. It’s a process, a long process, but it will take time. But with everyone involved, it can be done,” said Camangian, a former volleyball federation official who has been with NU since 2016.
Engineers by Trade
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Each sporting program at NU has a specific team manager that supports it.
For boys’ volleyball, it’s the duo of Rudy Chua and Col. Alex Ong. Men’s volleyball, on the other hand, has Junjun Abcede as the team manager.
Eng. Bing See Diet oversees both the girls’ and women’s programs.
Coincidentally or not, all the team managers are either engineers or construction magnates.
“The presence and the direction of the chairman play a big role here. We just follow that direction. Aligned kami lahat sa vision of Sir Hans. Magkakaroon ng synergy and oneness with that vision,” shared Camangian.
In an ideal world, the cream of the Nazareth School programs will most likely head to college at NU.
In this batch of Bulldogs, Michaelo Buddin, Greg Ancheta, Mac Bandola, Bryan Jaleco, Jimwell Gapultos, and Clarenz Belostrino all came from Edgar Barroga’s Bullpups.
On the women’s side, 10 of the 15 current Lady Bulldogs came from NUNS – headed by the duo of Mhicaela Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
“Believer ako kasi ng long-term athlete development program. There’s no such thing as an instant athlete. In high school, very crucial yung talent identification,” said Camangian.
“These student-athletes are given a holistic development, mentally, socially, physically, spiritually magkakaroon ng resulta. Kung tuloy-tuloy siya, pagdating ng college they will have a sense of loyalty to the institution that they belong to going from high school to college.”
Finishing the Program
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
It’s not just the managers who are part of the process. Of course, coordination among all the coaches is important.
The coordination between the girls’ and women’s programs is seamless as Norman Miguel handles both programs.
It took years before the Lady Bulldogs program could perfect a model, culminating in their first championship in 65 years back in Season 84.
Despite already having the blueprint, it’s still a tough process that takes a lot of patience, according to Miguel.
“Meron ka nang template na gagawin diba, para ganun na yung – sobrang mag-eexpect yung mga tao every year, diba? Parang iisipin ng mga tao parang dapat laging contender,” said Miguel, who returned to the post after leaving the school in Season 83.
“Nung nag-champion sila nung Season 84, obviously maganda yung programa nila. That’s why nag-champion sila, diba? And then nakita namin yun sa kanila na they carry without – kaya madali sa’min ang training, kasi mature na sila ‘di ba?” furthered Miguel, who made the retention of former head coach Karl Dimaculangan in his staff as his priority.
“Every year syempre mage-expect sa ‘yo yung mga tao so wala tayong magagawa doon. We just have to embrace that pressure na talagang magtatrabaho palagi diba. And, improve pa kung ano pa talaga yung mga kulang.”
On the men’s side, Barroga and Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin also align to bridge their unique programs.
“Ang motivation ng high school team ko is ma-include sila sa NU,” said Barroga.
“Reponsibility namin as coaches na i-ready sila for college.”
“Syempre mawawala sila Owa (Retamar), sila Nico (Almendras), sila Mano (Sumagui), pero tuloy tuloy naman din yung programa namin sa pag-recruit eh. Meron pa naman kaming naka-ready na players na anytime na mawala sila, merong mga susunod na papalit,” added Alinsunurin with his top order is retaining UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Volleyball MVP Jeffe Gallego.
Armed with resources, it’s the job of Barroga and Miguel to scour the country and identify the best talents who will be part of their under-16 and under-14 programs.
The hope is that they can be part of the under-19 squad and, later on, the collegiate teams, eventually.
Not all NUNS standouts, however, opt to go to NU.
And it’s part of the game and that they remain Nationalians wherever they go, says Camangian.
“It may not be 100 percent, but the majority will continue.”
Bigger Dreams, Higher Goals
National University was just two games away from achieving a historic feat – an event sweep, a feat that has never been done in the UAAP.
However, the Lady Bullpups were swept by the rampaging Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Baby Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament.
But that’s just okay for the school as they were able to retain three Lady Bullpups for the Lady Bulldogs: Celine Marsh, Bienne Bansil, and IC Cepada – all members of the Mythical Team.
After a short celebration last Wednesday, everyone went back to work on Thursday, plotting for Season 87.
“We are always reminded by Sir Hans that we need to stay focused, stay hungry, and stay humble,” said Camangian.
“For every achievement, tomorrow is a new day.”
What’s next for NU’s volleyball programs?
The dream is to rule all four divisions in one season and be part of the rarified air that only includes the University of the East’s fencing team.
“Sabi nga diba, libre naman managarap. For that dream to turn into reality, we must work really hard. We have to be determined and recreate yung mga dapat pa baguhin to reach that,” said Camangian.
“Lahat naman yun ginagawa namin for the glory of God, NU, and those who support National University.”
