The Lady Bulldogs will only get better.
Alyssa Solomon’s tour-de-force performance was not enough to salvage the National University Lady Bulldogs from the jaws of defeat on Sunday.
While she dropped 34 big points, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers still went on to capture the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball title after a 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10 Game 2 win at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.
Still, the 6-foot-2 volleybelle was proud of the Lady Bulldogs, who overcame a slow start to the season and managed to seal the no. 2 spot heading into the Final Four.
“Proud pa rin naman kasi nakita ko ‘yung teammates ko na gusto talaga nila ilaban 'yung game. Proud ako sa naging result,” she said.
NU’s other star in Bella Belen, who was seen sharing a hug with rival Angel Canino after the game, echoed her sentiment.
“Proud naman sa teammates ko kasi nilaban namin hanggang dulo, hindi kami agad agad bumitaw,” said Belen, who finished with 11 points.
The Lady Bulldogs looked like they were going to extend the series after claiming the first two sets behind Solomon, Belen, Vange Alinsug, and Erin Pangilinan.
But La Salle did not wish to postpone Sunday's victory party. The Lady Spikers suddenly got their acts together and torched the Lady Bulldogs on all fronts. The rest was history.
“Hats off sa La Salle. Nakita namin na gusto talaga nila makuha ‘yung game. Lamang kami two sets, hinabol kami. Makikita talaga sa kanila na gusto tapusin ‘yung game,” she said.
The loss, while stinging, just proved there’s still room for improvement for the youthful Lady Bulldogs.
“It’s an opportunity para mag-improve pa ulit for next season,” said coach Karl Dimaculangan.
(GM)