UAAP: Advice from Jaja Santiago spurs Alyssa Solomon on

Alyssa Solomon leads the NU Lady Bulldogs to a Game 1 win over the UST Tigresses in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines — After struggling in the Final Four, Alyssa Solomon rediscovered her scoring touch to put National University on the cusp of claiming the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball title.

She has Jaja Santiago’s encouraging words to thank for that.

Following an eight-point game when NU lost its twice-to-beat advantage to Far Eastern University, Solomon continued to struggle with nine points on 8-of-29 attacking clip but the Lady Bulldogs still swept the Lady Tamaraws to book their third straight trip to the Finals. 

HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 86 volleyball Finals NU vs UST Game 1

Santiago, who watched her first NU game on Wednesday, approached the third-year opposite spiker and gave her advice about her attacking style.

Three days after, Solomon came out firing with a game-high 17 points as NU swept UST in Game 1, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, with  Santiago among the 20,955 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

NU PROUD 🐶

LOOK: Former NU Lady Bulldog Jaja Santiago greets Alyssa Solomon after their Game 1 win over UST. #UAAPSeason86 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/rRnxMPMhdM

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 11, 2024

“Ate Ja treats me as a baby girl. And when she notices my lapses, she will tell me right away,” Solomon told reporters after delivering 14 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to go with eight digs.

“She went to our training yesterday and I remembered her advice during the game. And I’m happy I did it.”

Solomon said Santiago came up to her and praised after the game as the Lady Bulldogs inched closer to a title-retention bid with her help.

READ: NU Lady Bulldogs dominate UST Tigresses in UAAP Finals Game 1

“She was so happy because I played well. Coach Taka [Minowa] was also happy for me. And they told me to keep it up,” said the opposite spiker of other former NU star.

The 6-foot-1 spiker is not dealing with possible comparisons from the 6-foot-5 Santiago, who has been shining as a middle blocker import in Japan since she graduated from NU.

“She’s the player I look up to. I always watch her perform, how she moves and handles a team and try to apply it to my game,” said Solomon. “She’s my inspiration.”

NU coach Norman Miguel said Solomon has been playing through minor knee pain in the past weeks due to a small posterior cruciate ligament injury which had led to her recent struggles.

“We will play our hearts out since we’re already here. We’re given this opportunity. We know the character of our players even though they are dealing with pain, they will keep on fighting,” said Miguel in Filipino.

Solomon and the Lady Bulldogs try to close out the series in Game 2 against the Tigresses, which lost Angge Poyos due to an ankle injury in the second set, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“When we arrive on Wednesday, we have to be composed, our emotions should be neutral. It’s all about having the proper mindset,” she said.