NU: Keeping the winning legacy alive

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NU: Keeping the winning legacy alive image

Photo: Shakey's Super League/FB

By Nate Castillo

Three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player Bella Belen’s batch has accomplished much for National University.

Three championships in the last four seasons speak volumes about the bite that the storied Lady Bulldogs had.

Now with its alpha dog already gone to the professional ranks along with the core of last year’s seniors, NU is pinning its hopes on a new pack of Lady Bulldogs to continue the winning legacy.

It’s a tall task, but new head coach Regine Diego is confident her rebuilding team is up to the challenge of keeping the title safe in Sampaloc.

“So that batch (of Belen) was like eight years or more together, and this year we're trying to rebuild and we're trying to replicate that batch in less than a year,” said Diego, who gets thrust into accomplishing a historic three-peat.

“Of course, there will be expectations, of course, there will be pressure, but that batch also is our guide,” added the mentor, who replaced Sherwin Meneses at the reins last September.

Photo: Shakey's Super League/FB

NU is in for a rough ride as the target on its back got bigger.

Rival teams remain wary of how dangerous the Lady Bulldogs are.

But at the same time, all are looking to seize the opportunity to knock NU off the throne with the likes of grizzled veterans Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan out of the way.

“I know it's going to be a very tough competition this year because I think everyone's going to be very competitive,” Diego acknowledged.

“So what we can do is play together, play well, and do our best.”

Photo: Shakey's Super League/FB

Expectations are high for seniors team captain Vange Alinsug, setter Lams Lamina, libero Shaira Jardio and middle blocker Chams Maaya.

However, pressure is even heavier for prized recruit Sam Cantada and other blue-chip rookies in fellow Alas Pilipinas Girls teammates Denesse Daylisan and Harlyn Serneche.

Photo: Shakey's Super League/FB

Diego and her staff are trying to guard the team from outside noise and stay focused on the bigger picture.

“I always remind them that with or without us looking or reading comments, anything on social media, it will always affect us,” she said.

“So what we can do is to shut down the noise as much as we can by not being more active online, but being more active with each other's presence. And to stay focused, of course, we have to focus on the process because if we don't focus on the process, then we'll have a lot of distractions to entertain,” Diego added.

“So, what we can do is to remind them every day and to help each other to go through all the hardships and the challenges that we're going to experience.”

Good preparations and a successful preseason campaign equipped the young Lady Bulldogs with battle credentials.

NU has the bite to back its bark.

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