When Adamson University ended National University Nazareth School’s 25-game winning streak in the UAAP High School Girls Volleyball tournament on Saturday morning, the Lady Bulldogs – most of whom came from NUNS – were watching.
Although not at Paco Arena as NU would play later that day at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, the Lady Bulldogs watched the game via livestream.
The Baby Falcons were able to break the spell, escaping the Lady Bullpups in five, 21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 15-13, to force a winner-take-all Game Three on Monday.
Not only it is their junior team that’s why the seniors’ squad was intently watching, but it was also because 14 of that 25-match winning run was from them.
Of the current Lady Bulldogs roster, eight of them were part of the Season 82 juniors squad that swept its way to the championship.
Mhicaela Belen, Vange Alinsug, Sheena Toring, Alyssa Solomon, Camilla Lamina, Erin Pangilinan, Shaira Jardio, and Chams Maaya were members of the Season 82 team that reclaimed the crown after De La Salle-Zobel snagged it in Season 81.
“Syempre nakakasad po kasi naputol na rin yung streak kagaya nung amin dito sa seniors,” said Belen, who was the Season MVP back in 82.
One thing the Season 84 women’s volleyball MVP noticed was that NUNS was error-prone in Game 2 which ultimately caused them the game.
Belen expressed it in a jokingly manner, citing how them, the seniors’ team, are also error-plagued.
“Yung high school po kasi namin idol kami eh, ang dami po nilang errors yun din po ang napansin ko parang kanina nasa 40 plus yata ang errors nila for a five set game,” added Belen.
But Belen and Season 82 high school girls’ Finals MVP Alinsug know that NUNS will bounce back come the decider on Monday.
After all, even without the long-standing streak, the Lady Bullpups can still win the championship.
“Naputol po yung streak oo pero alam naman namin na babawi sila and huwag na lang isipin yung streak, yung Game 3 bawiin na po talaga nila kasi wala na pong next game pag natalo sila eh,” said Alinsug, now a rookie for the collegiate team.
“Nung nanood po kasi ako ng game talagang pinaghandaan din po sila ng Adamson and ang ganda po ng laban kanina pero I’m sure naman po na babawi yung girls namin,” shared Belen.