National University (NU) has established itself as a modern powerhouse in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. And as the Lady Bulldogs stand on the edge of a second straight crown, a traditional heavyweight stands in their way.

Beyond NU’s determination to not let La Salle ruin its grand pursuit, there is the fact that cornerstones Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon—the standouts who lined their school among the top star-creating programs in the country—could be playing their final game together in blue and gold.

For them, winning the Season 87 title has gone beyond cementing the Lady Bulldogs’ status as titans of the sport. It’s about firming up the groundwork for future success.

“I’m very happy because [we have a chance] to leave the younger players something. And hopefully, we can really leave something beautiful,” Belen, the team’s skipper who was named this season’s Most Valuable Player, said of the 5 p.m. match at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where NU can end La Salle’s hopes and run away with a third crown in four years.

Solomon echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the commitment they made back when they were doe-eyed youngsters—one that helped grease the path for the Lady Bulldogs’ continued rise.

“For me, I’m proud because we’ve left a history since Season 84. Before we even entered the collegiate level, we already told our batchmates that we’d deliver a championship to NU. And I think that’s how this all started,” said Solomon, the ace opposite hitter who is expected to explore opportunities abroad.

“I’m very happy because most of our high school teammates continued at NU in college,” Belen added. “It’s a big factor in how we’re moving now, because we all know each other.”

A triumph against the Lady Spikers would be a storybook ending for the Lady Bulldogs, who are out to assert their mastery of volleyball’s modern-day rivalry.

Peerless RDJ

“I keep telling the players that the closeout game is the hardest,” said NU coach Sherwin Meneses, who is out to embellish his already impressive resume with a first collegiate title.

His gut feel is not unfounded. History shows that La Salle is capable of pulling the rug from under its opponents on this stage, having dropped a series opener only to storm back and steal the crown.

The Cha Cruz-starred Lady Spikers did just that against Far Eastern University during Season 71 in March 2009, and then again against archrival Ateneo three years later in Season 74.

Both instances were also under the watchful eye of the peerless Ramil de Jesus, the architect behind La Salle’s 12 championships.

De Jesus had said he is hoping his team can crank up its setting play, and draw more from stars Angel Canino and Shevana Laput as the Lady Spikers set out to reclaim the hardware they last held two years ago.

“La Salle won’t go down without a fight,” Meneses said in a separate chat with the Inquirer. “Their fighting spirit is something else.” INQ