From high school to the bright lights of collegiate women’s volleyball, National University’s success has long relied on the dynamic duo of UAAP Season 84 Rookie-MVP Bella Belen and UAAP Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon.
The Lady Bulldogs’ 1-2 punch has been instrumental in securing five UAAP girls’ volleyball titles, two UAAP women’s volleyball championships, and a three-peat in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-Season Championship from 2022 to 2024.
However, Belen and Solomon — along with middle blockers Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan — are embarking for one final campaign with NU in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
With their departure on the horizon, one question looms: Who will lead the Lady Bulldogs’ scoring attack in the post-Belen and Solomon era?
NU may already have the answer in another homegrown talent: Vange Alinsug, who is ready to take on a greater responsibility once the legendary duo bids farewell to Jhocson.
On Sunday night, Alinsug proved her hunger and readiness for a bigger role.
She provided crucial support in the Lady Bulldogs’ grueling five-set victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
While Solomon and Belen led the charge with 23 and 21 points, respectively, Alinsug delivered an impressive performance of her own, scoring 19 points — all from attacks — while adding 15 excellent receptions and four excellent digs.
Her efforts helped propel NU to solo first place with a perfect 3-0 record.
“Hindi naman siya ganon kadali, pero kasi nandoon yung drive ko kasi gusto ko tumulong sa kanila and gusto rin namin talaga manalo. So hindi siya mahirap pag gusto mo talaga manalo,” said the Catmon, Cebu native.
“Maganda siya sa akin [na kaya ko makipagsabayan] since ‘yon yung maiiwan nila sa akin. Magiging big role sa akin sa susunod na season kasi ako yung nakipagsabayan sa kanila ngayon hanggang sa madadala ko siya sa susunod na taon,” she added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Before the season began, Belen made it clear that her goal for her final year with the Lady Bulldogs was to secure a back-to-back championship in UAAP women’s volleyball.
NU failed to achieve that feat in Season 85, when they were dethroned by Season 85 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino and De La Salle University.
Since the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament began in 1938, NU has yet to score a repeat.
With this in mind — and knowing that Belen and Solomon chose to return for one more season — Alinsug feels extra motivated to help them cap off their collegiate careers with a championship.
“Super motivated kasi nag-stay kasi sila para sa amin. Kasi pwede naman na umalis na sila kasi graduate naman na sila,” the 22-year-old outside hitter explained.
“So ibigay namin ito hindi lang para sa NU or para sa team namin, pero para rin sa kanila para maganda rin yung alis nila sa amin.”
However, if Alinsug hopes to provide the necessary support for NU’s championship aspirations, she must embody the same hunger and mindset that Belen and Solomon have displayed throughout their decade-long journey with the program.
Solomon and Belen showcased this relentless drive against FEU, especially when NU fell behind two sets to one. Solomon took over in the fourth set to force a decider, while Belen delivered clutch hits in the final frame to seal the come-from-behind victory.
“[Gusto ko makuha] yung pagiging palaban nilang dalawa — na hindi talaga sila susuko. Kasi gusto namin kunin yung set kagaya kanina nung fourth, kasi pwede na kami matalo noon ‘eh,” Alinsug concluded.
“Pero nakita ko sa kanila na gustong-gusto nila makuha kasi marami kaming pinaghirapan these past few weeks sa training. So kukunin namin ito so nakikita ko sa kanila yung drive na hindi talaga magpapatalo.”
