Bella Belen and Angel Canino. –UAAP PHOTO
National University’s (NU) stars begged off from the customary post-game presser shortly after losing to La Salle in five thrilling sets in Game 1 of the UAAP women’s volleyball championship series.
Could be the Lady Bulldogs would rather let their game speak for themselves this Sunday when they take the court at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City a well-rested bunch, eager to extend their reign.
Game 2 is at 4 p.m. with NU looking to avoid a sweep—something it dealt La Salle in last season’s clash at this very stage.
The spotlight will be beaming brightly on the celebrated tandem of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who accounted for the Lady Bulldogs’ 50 big points in the short series’ opener a week ago at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Raring to put the series to bed is Angel Canino, who has been on a tear in her first year with the Lady Spikers. A cinch for this year’s top rookie honors, the outside hitter from Bacolod could also replicate Belen’s Rookie-MVP feat from a year ago and ice it with La Salle’s first UAAP title in five years.
Individual Awards for Season 85 will be handed out at 1 p.m. and should add more dimension to the high drama that this rivalry between the two schools has manufactured thus far.
Also looking to help reinstate La Salle as the vaunted queens of the competition are Thea Gagate, Leiah Malaluan, and Mars Alba—all members of that squad that fell short in Season 84.