UAAP: To stay locked in, NU Lady Bulldogs turn to Rubik’s cube

Alyssa Solomon (left) fiddling with a Rubik’s cube during a post-game interview with Bella Belen in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –LANCE AGCAOILI/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — One of the keys behind National University’s discipline and winning run in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament could fit in the palm of your hand.

Every night, the Lady Bulldogs surrender their phones to avoid distractions ahead of their UAAP games and they turn to the Rubik’s cube to pass the time–among other things.

Solving a Rubik’s cube has been the bonding of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Co. before sleeping.

UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 86 volleyball Final Four

Solomon said backup setter Abe Pono was the one who introduced the Rubik’s cube hobby to the team until she and Belen followed suit.

“Almost all of our teammates want to learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube because every night we surrender our phones. So solving and learning the patterns of the cube has become our bonding and hobby,” Solomon told Inquirer Sports in Filipino

Master cuber

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bela Belen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The star opposite spiker said that Belen was on another level in solving the puzzle as she had already accomplished 4×4 and 5×5 Rubik’s patterns. 

“Bella is on a different level. She even bought a bigger one,” Solomon said.

Belen, the league’s first-ever women’s volleyball rookie MVP in Season 84, has been a true cuber since high school. And it feels good for her to share the same hobby with her teammates.

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The do-it-all spiker quipped a joke that she could also compete in Rubik’s tournament

“Solving 3×3, 4×4, and 5×5 cubes no longer challenges me. I can even join tournaments,” said a laughing Belen in Filipino. “[Kidding aside], when you learned the different patterns and have done it a couple of times it will be easier.”

More than just an evening hobby, Rubik’s Cube helps the Lady Bulldogs build stronger chemistry and stay locked in their goal this season.

READ: NU wants to sprint to UAAP finals; UST just savoring the moment

“It has been our bonding because we’re asking each other how to solve since we don’t have phones every night so we enjoy our Rubik’s cubes,” Belen said.

“It helps us have a proper mindset and avoid overthinking our upcoming game. Solving a Rubik’s cube calms us,” added Solomon.

NU, which lost the UAAP title next year, is also seeking to solve the UAAP Season 86 puzzle in its bid to reclaim its lost glory.

The Lady Bulldogs, who won seven straight games to finish on top with a 12-2 record, have no plans of wasting their twice-to-beat edge against the No.4 Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.