National University’s revolving door of coaches spun again, heading into the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, with Regine Diego taking over the squad.
Karl Dimaculangan served as the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach in Season 84, leading them to end a 65-year championship drought. He also guided the team in Season 85, when they fell to the De La Salle Lady Spikers in the Finals.
The coaching carousel continued from there. Norman Miguel was tasked with bringing NU back on top and succeeded in Season 86, before Sherwin Meneses took over and led the Lady Bulldogs to their first-ever back-to-back titles.
But according to Vange Alinsug, that constant change is part of the team’s beauty. And no matter how many coaching changes they face, this NU volleyball program will be competitive.
Take the three titles in four seasons as proof.
“Malaking tulong si Coach Reg sa amin, pero ang maganda rin talaga sa team namin ay ayun nga, talagang unbreakable kami,” said Alinsug, Season 87 Co-Finals MVP, during the league’s Media Day at the TV5 Media Center last Sunday.
“Kasi kahit na every year nagpapalit kami ng coach, nandito pa rin kami. Yes po and totoo po yun.”
(C) MPVA
Alinsug hopes the Lady Bulldogs’ unbreakable mindset will carry them to continued success, despite significant losses in personnel after last season. Three-time MVP Bella Belen and 6-foot-1 opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon have now moved to the professional ranks.
Although filling such big shoes is a challenge, Alinsug and setter Camilla Lamina believe the team can collectively make up for what was lost. They also have a promising batch of rookies set to make their collegiate debut, led by UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball MVP Sam Cantada.
“It’s everyone kasi hindi rin naman natin masasabi kung sino ang magfi-fill ng shoes ng mga umalis. Pero lahat kami palaban, so dapat maging ready talaga kami. Kasi mahaba yung season eh, so I think lahat naman po kayang i-fill in yun lahat,” said Alinsug.
“Very excited ako sa mga bata ngayon kasi they are coming from a champion team din, which is NUNS, and malaking bagay din yun. I am excited kasi alam kong mag-step up sila lalo na siguro sa mga crucial moments,” added Lamina, as homegrown spikers Denesse Daylisan and Harlyn Serneche made the leap to the collegiate team.
While the departures of Belen and Solomon were significant, NU’s talent pool mirrors its revolving door of coaches. Two generational players may have graduated, but the Lady Bulldogs remain in capable hands with Alinsug, Lamina, Arah Panique, and a promising crop of rookies.
