By MARK REY MONTEJO
Veterans Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon are nearing the end of their well-decorated collegiate careers, but one thing is for sure, National University is in good hands.
No matter what the outcome of the UAAP Finals is NU will have someone to rely on next season and that is no other than Vange Alinsug.
Playing in her third year as a Lady Bulldog, Alinsug, 22, embraced her role perfectly – being the other option after Belen and Solomon.
She showed her worth in the team’s 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 win over De La Salle University at the start of the best-of-three title series by firing21 points – all attacks – at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday, May 11.
“‘Di naman po first time saken [at] samin, so mindset lang namin maglaro lang no’ng kung ano ‘yong nilalaro namin palagi, and nagii-start nga ‘yon sa training,” said Alinsug.
“Happy ako kasi napakita namin ‘yon ngayong Game 1,” added Alinsug, who outshone as well a 22-point output from Angel Canino for the Lady Spikers.
Since her rookie year, the pride of Catmon, Cebu has been a vital piece of the two-peat seeking Lady Bulldogs, especially in her sophomore stint where she alongside Belen and Solomon have literally created a “triple threat” on the offensive end.
She credited the team’s chemistry for their win, saying the core of the team persevered even in times of adversity.
“Actually, ayon nga sabi ni Bella, malaking factor samin ‘yong kilalang kilala namin ‘yong isa’t isa kasi sa training din naman naguumpisa kung may lutang o madadala rin sa laro,” the 5-foot-7 outside hitter continued.
“Ina-approach na namin ‘yon and pinaguusapan namin ‘yon, alam namin kung pano sya makakabawe,” she added.
The impending exit of Belen and Solomon is actually a challenge for Alinsug.
“Since alam [naman] natin na last UAAP [season] na nila ‘to, ilalaban ko na talaga ito,” Alinsug stressed after booking their finals berth at Far Eastern University’s expense in the semifinal. “Para sa inyo po ito.”
