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MANILA, Philippines – Nationwide College allayed fears of diminished competitiveness from key departures and a sudden teaching shakeup with a dominating conquest of the 2025 Shakey’s Tremendous League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup.
Seasoned holdovers Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, playmaker Lams Lamina, and protection specialist Shaira Jardio displayed strong management to show that the rebuilding Woman Bulldogs pack the identical highly effective chew to finish a four-peat.
NU overcame the problem of a robust area, punctuated by a nail-biting 22-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 15-10 escape over gritty College of Santo Tomas in Recreation 2 of the best-of-three finals on Saturday, November 15, for a formidable 10-game sweep of the league’s centerpiece match.
The Woman Bulldogs additionally accomplished a season sweep for the second straight yr after ruling the Nationwide Invitationals Davao Leg final August — a transparent proof that they continue to be as one of many nation’s high school ladies’s volleyball packages, if not the perfect.
NU handed the preseason check with flying colours, ushering within the daybreak of a brand new breed of Woman Bulldogs following the exit of three-time UAAP Most Helpful Participant Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan after successful back-to-back UAAP titles early this yr.
“Effectively, from the beginning, I instructed them that as a result of we misplaced many key gamers, now we have to do that collectively,” mentioned NU head coach Regine Diego after successful a title in her first run as mentor of the Woman Bulldogs since changing Sherwin Meneses final September.
“Now we have to work as a group now, as a result of it’s a major loss. Now we have to fill in these footwear, however to get there, now we have to develop collectively. Now we have to be a group.”
“Final time, we had been individually robust,” Diego added. “This time, we will do that as a group, and that can assist us defend the title.”
Total, NU went 13-0 this season, together with its three-game domination of the Nationwide Invitationals, the place prized rookie Sam Cantada emerged as Greatest Participant, introducing herself because the group’s latest weapon.
Cantada connived with Alinsug, Kaye Bombita, and Maaya on offense within the championship collection clincher, ending with 24 factors as NU replicated a come-from-behind Recreation 1 win that additionally went the complete 5 units.
Lamina, who was named match MVP and Greatest Setter, mentioned she’s glad the group received previous the stress.
“We’re pleased as a result of the younger gamers stepped up, they trusted us (seniors), the coaches, and the system,” she mentioned.
Alinsug, who was given the powerful activity as NU skipper, expressed confidence within the present batch of Woman Bulldogs as they shift their focus to getting ready for his or her foremost objective — a three-peat within the UAAP early subsequent yr.
“We all know that many would doubt us as a result of we’re rebuilding, however it is a testimony for us,” mentioned Alinsug. – Rappler.com
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