National University has been a dominant force in UAAP women’s volleyball since Season 84, capturing three of the last four championships.
Even in the one season they didn’t take home the crown, the Lady Bulldogs still made it to the finals, falling only to the De La Salle Lady Spikers in Season 85.
But with the heart and soul of the NU squad now in the professional ranks — Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon — La Salle believes the upcoming Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament could be the most unpredictable yet in the post-pandemic era.
“It is a wide-open race to the throne,” said Lady Spikers deputy coach Noel Orcullo during Wednesday’s UAAP Volleyball Press Conference.
“Lahat naman ng teams competitive. Even the other teams, lahat talaga sobrang nag-step up. Wala ka nang sasabihin mong madaling kalaban. Lahat mahirap,” he added.
“Walang madaling kalaban ngayon. Lahat mahirap. ‘Yung iba, bago ‘yung coaches, bago ‘yung sistema. So talagang paghahandaan na lang bawat team. So expect na lang talaga na hindi magiging madali ‘yung mga panalo.”
La Salle will lean on its core from Season 85 — MVP Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon — to try to reclaim the crown. But other teams have also strengthened their lineups.
University of Santo Tomas returns healthier this season, with outside hitters Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula back in the fold, two key players sorely missed in Season 87. Far Eastern University maintains its core, while Adamson University added reinforcements to support explosive scorer Shaina Nitura.
University of the Philippines also beefed up its roster, welcoming Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero. The two will join Niña Ytang, Joan Monares, and Irah Jaboneta to form a solid core.
“Oo naman, we’re confident. Alam namin na we’re capable of getting the championship this season,” said La Salle middle blocker Amie Provido, who spent the offseason playing for Alas Pilipinas.
“Pero at the same time, alam namin na hindi madali yung pagdadaanan namin, kasi lahat ng teams ngayon nag-i-improve din. Lahat sila nagtatrabaho rin to get the championship. Pero siyempre, hindi kami titigil. Gagawin namin lahat ng makakaya namin,” he went on.
Lady Spikers new captain Shevana Laput added, “I mean, yes, we are taking it (that Bella and Alyssa are gone), but at the end of the day, all teams are still very strong.
“All teams are competitors in this tournament. We are coming into this one game at a time, focusing on whoever our competitor is at the moment. Whoever it is at the finals, we will do our best to beat them.”
Orcullo also reminded everyone that NU will remain formidable despite losing its stars, as Vange Alinsug, Camilla Lamina, and Shaira Jardio step up to leadership roles. They also welcome Season 87 Girls’ MVP Sam Cantada, adding firepower to the lineup.
“Kahit sabihin mong nawala si Bella, nawala si Aly, nandoon pa rin naman yung core ng NU. May pumanhik pa, like si Cantada. Medyo nakita naman natin ‘yung naging performance niya, sobrang maganda,” said Orcullo.
With every team strengthening its roster, La Salle is entering Season 88 fully aware that there is no such thing as an easy win anymore.
#WATCH: LAHAT NG TEAMS COMPETITIVE 🏐
La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo sees a highly-competitive #UAAPSeason88#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/F1Ea1eRkhj
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/y7KsPOycgy
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 11, 2026
