National University seniors Cess Robles, Jen Nierva, and Joyme Cagande will take a much-deserved rest before deciding where to head next, following the Lady Bulldogs’ painful loss to De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament finals.
The Season 84 champions were poised to send the series to a deciding Game 3 after taking the first two sets in Game 2. However, they were left stunned by the Angel Canino-led Lady Spikers, who completed a 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10 comeback to bring the UAAP crown back to Taft Avenue.
“Wala pa naman. Siguro uwi muna kami kasi ang tagal naming hindi nakita ang aming mga pamilya. Pahinga muna, balik, tapos plano ulit,” said Robles.
“Ako naman po, I’m prepared mentally and physically for the next chapter. Bahala na si Lord kung saan,” Cagande echoed.
Meanwhile, Nierva said that she intends to play in the Premier Volleyball League but has yet to decide which team she will join.
“Sa akin naman, pahinga muna, pero we’ll step na on a higher level sa PVL. Still don’t know kung saan,” said the Season 84 Best Libero.
Looking back, the graduating trio remains satisfied with how they ended their respective collegiate careers, despite falling short of winning a championship in their final year.
Robles, Cagande, and Nierva all played an important part in the Lady Bulldogs’ historic sweep of Season 84 that snapped the school’s 65-year drought in women’s volleyball.
“Malaking achievement and history [na] rin ito sa UAAP kasi from, yun nga di kami nakapasok ng Season 81, tapos pagbalik champion kami, ngayon pasok pa kami sa finals. Magandang exit yung saming tatlo. Yun nga, yung achievement ay proud kami na galing kaming NU,” said Robles.
“I think may naiwan na rin naman kami kasi after 65 years, nag-champion na NU, and this is just the beginning for us, for them. After nito manonood na lang kami. Susuportahan namin sila all the way,” echoed Cagande.
