NU’s volleyball dynasty faces immediate challenge with Belen, Solomon departure

MANILA, Philippines — So now, is the key to the city safe and sound without the queen?

That would remain as the biggest question in National University’s queendom amid an impending departure of their two royalties – ironically when the school just established the coveted dynasty in the UAAP women’s volleyball.

Three-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and last season’s Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon had played their final games as the Lady Bulldogs in epic fashions, delivering NU’s second straight and third overall title in the last four seasons with a 2-0 sweep of modern day rival La Salle at the close of the UAAP Season 87.

The feat fulfilled the Lady Bulldogs’ bid as the best collegiate volleyball program in the country today — albeit they already are in the high school scene where Belen and company came — but for some, it just produced more questions than answers.

Will there be enough firepower left in NU to defend its throne next season? Who will rise to the challenge to fill the big shoes left by Belen and Solomon? Is the three-peat possible without them? Are the up-and-coming players ready to fend off the wrath of La Salle and the rest of the pack?

“Hopefully, marami pang kasunod na championships just like sa pro,” said coach Sherwin Meneses, a champion in his debut year with the Lady Bulldogs.

Meneses is a seven-time champion in the PVL, best known as the author behind the Creamline dynasty that just clinched a Grand Slam last year. He’s fully aware that building one would require more than just court smarts, skills and talents.

Today’s battle landscape also includes massive forces outside the Taraflex, making it one of the biggest factors in building or protecting a winning tradition.

“Ibang-iba na ngayon kasi sa recruitment palang, kailangan ka ng mag-focus. ‘Yun ang labanan ngayon eh. Ngayon, may players ang NU na magsa-succeed sa mga susunod na taon. Dati napakahirap. Sobrang iba na so let’s see kung ano mangyayari sa mga susunod na taon with NU,” added Meneses, a product of Adamson as a player and coach.

And even before its championship feat, NU has unleashed a first move to secure its future, landing former Santo Tomas captain Jaila Adrao for NUNS as her bridge to the UAAP women’s next season.

Led by Finals MVP Harlyn Serneche and Best Outside Spiker Denesse Daylisan, NUNS also regained the girls’ volleyball title for its seventh overall title for the second-most in UAAP history.

Then there’s Vange Alinsug, the unheralded third member of NU’s triumvirate who rose to the occasion with a Co-Finals MVP award with libero Shaira Mae Jardio in the women’s play.

Alinsug, Jardio and two-time Best Setter Lams Lamina will inherit the mantle of leadership with young stars Arah Panique, Celine Marsh, Alexa Mata and Abegail Pono, who are all products of NUNS’ own dynasty in high school with Belen and Solomon.

And this early, Alinsug and company assured their readiness for the bigger role as NU shoots for a three-peat next season.

“May award man o wala, still kami pa rin ‘yung magli-lead sa susunod. Sana sa mga maiiwan, madala namin ito sa susunod na season. Alam ko na kahit wala na ‘yung seniors namin sa first six, merong mas malakas na kapalit. At paghihirapan po namin lahat ‘yung next season,” vowed Alinsug, who registered 15.5 points in NU’s second finals win against La Salle in three meetings.

For Belen and Solomon, that’s all they wanted for a fitting swan song — knowing that their beloved alma mater is in great hands as they go turn professional either here or abroad.

“I’m very happy na maganda po ‘yung maiiwan namin sa susunod na batch. Talagang pinaghirapan po ng bawat isa ito, hindi lang po kami. Hinabol namin ‘yung back-to-back goal at gusto naming maiwan ‘yun sa NU. History siya for NU,” said Belen.

“Proud kami na aalis kami ng champion. Ito naman po talaga ‘yung goal namin this season, mabigyan ng back-to-back ang NU,” added Solomon.