MANILA, Philippines — They might have tempered expectations heading into the event, however NU Girl Bulldogs nonetheless confirmed how formidable their school program is with their first Nationwide Invitationals crown within the Shakey’s Tremendous League.
The Girl Bulldogs didn’t area UAAP Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon to get well from her damage and additionally they weren’t anticipating Bella Belen and Arah Panique to complete the event attributable to their dedication to Alas Pilipinas.
However the stars nonetheless aligned for NU after Alas Pilipinas’ flight to Japan was moved to a later date, permitting the pair to finish their title quest.
READ: NU Girl Bulldogs sweep their method to Tremendous League title anew
Of their second straight five-setter championship sport, Panique and Belen mixed for 52 factors to finish NU’s comeback and title-clinching 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10 win over the gritty Far Japanese College in Sport 2 on Tuesday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Girl Bulldogs additionally missed Vange Alinsug and Sheena Toring within the championship-clinching sport.
“I need to say that the NU volleyball program established the correct components from highschool to varsity. Although it’s not all the time excellent however the outcomes proved that we’re attaining,” stated NU coach Norman Miguel in Filipino.
Panique unleashed a tournament-high 27 factors and Belen, who emerged because the Nationwide Invitationals MVP, delivered 25 factors to finish a collection sweep of the Girl Tamaraws in back-to-back five-setters inside 48 hours.
READ: UAAP: With intact core, NU Girl Bulldogs look to remain contenders
“We’re fortunate as a result of the celebrities aligned and their flight to Japan was rescheduled. So the morale of the gamers went up they usually labored more durable,” stated Miguel of the the nationwide pair who was alleged to solely play within the group stage.
NU, which dominated the 2 SSL preseason tournaments, remained unbeaten in 24 video games capped with its first Nationwide Invitational title since becoming a member of the league two years in the past.
“We had been so joyful to win this championship as a result of our preparation was a bit shaky since most of our gamers got here from South Korea [for a trip] and we solely had 5 days to organize,” Miguel stated. “We additionally needed to handle the a great deal of our injured gamers and nationwide group gamers. You need to mix the gamers to have publicity however on the similar time keep the successful tradition.”
The Girl Bulldogs acquired their second crown of the 12 months after finishing a title-redemption bid within the UAAP Season 86 final Might. They are going to be eyeing a hat trick within the Collegiate Preseason Championship in September.
Belen was additionally named 1st Greatest Exterior Spiker with teammates Lams Lamina (Greatest Setter) and Shaira Jardio (Greatest Libero) additionally successful particular person recognitions.
Different particular person award winners had been third placer School of Saint Benilde’s Wewe Estoque (2nd Greatest Exterior Spiker) and Zam Nolasco (1st Greatest Center Blocker), FEU’s Jean Asis (2nd Greatest Center Blocker) and Letran’s Judielle Nitura (Greatest Reverse Hitter).