The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate their triumph in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2024. Handout/SSLMANILA -- National University is hopeful that its triumphant run to the championship in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship bodes well for their upcoming title defense in the UAAP.
Led by Alas Pilipinas standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon -- and under the guidance of new coach Sherwin Meneses -- the Lady Bulldogs swept De La Salle University in the best-of-3 Finals series.
In Game 2 on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, they overhauled an early deficit for a 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 win, clinching their third straight title in the league.
"Siyempre sobrang excited din ako na nanalo kami. Malaking tulong talaga 'to sa preparation for UAAP. 'Yun naman talaga 'yung goal kaya sumali kami dito," said Meneses.
A multi-titled mentor with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League, Meneses is making his UAAP return after last coaching Adamson University in 2016. He took over the coaching reins from Norman Miguel following the Lady Bulldogs’ first-ever National Invitationals championship last July.
The Lady Bulldogs took Game 1 in a clinical dismantling of La Salle in straight sets last Friday.
READ: NU sweeps La Salle in Finals for another Super League crown
READ: NU sweeps La Salle in opener, one win away from Super League 3-peat
"I'm very happy kasi nakamit namin yung goal namin for Shakey's kasi isa rin na to para magiging stepping stone namin, preparation namin for the upcoming UAAP Season," said Belen, who had 15 points to back Solomon’s 19-point explosion in Game 2.
"Kaya ayun, I'm very happy na nagawa ng team kung ano yung dapat gawin. Kaya ayun, sumunod lang 'yung pagkapanalo."
The Lady Bulldogs gained a measure of revenge after the Lady Spikers halted their 28-game winning streak in the Super League with a four-set triumph in the second round.
But they got the last laugh, spoiling La Salle's bid for a perfect campaign as they handed the spikers from Taft back-to-back losses.
Now, their focus shifts to the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament next year, where the Lady Bulldogs are looking to win a third title in four seasons.
"Siguro yung motivation lang namin is parang to move forward, to aim higher pa sa mga sa susunod na laro. Lalo na 'yung UAAP, siya 'yung big league for college. 'Yun talaga yung league ng lahat. Kahit kami, okay looking forward kami maglaro sa UAAP kasi alam namin lahat ng teams aangat pa, marami pa silang ii-improve," said Belen, who also bagged the 1st Best Open Spiker recognition.
"Hindi kami magpapatalo, hindi kami magpapahuli, magi-improve at magi-improve pa kami."
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