UAAP women’s volleyball Finals preview: NU vs La Salle III

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament FINALS – NU vs La Salle

MANILA, Philippines — The last two UAAP champions, National University and La Salle, fight for their respective legacies, taking their rivalry to a trilogy in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball finals.

For the third time in the past four seasons, the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Spikers clash for the UAAP women’s volleyball supremacy.

NU brought its successful high school program, led by stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, to the collegiate ranks when the league reopened in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic era. 

READ: UAAP Finals: NU remains hungry–a bad sign for La Salle

And the pair didn’t disappoint, leading the Lady Bulldogs to a historic 16-0 sweep that season with Belen becoming the first-ever women’s MVP and Rookie of the Year, ending NU’s 65-year title drought with a finals win over La Salle.

The following season, La Salle rookie Angel Canino mirrored Belen’s feat, claiming both MVP and Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Lady Spikers to a finals sweep of NU.

La Salle, however, was dethroned by a twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four last year and NU reclaimed the UAAP crown with Belen and Solomon sweeping the Tigresses in the Season 86 finals.

READ: UAAP: Lady Spikers have to be laser-precise against Bulldogs

This season, La Salle got its payback against UST in the semis to reach the finals once more. NU, on the other hand, endured a grueling five-setter against FEU to return to the title round and chase back-to-back championships.

Game 1 is on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Clash of multi-titled coaches

La Salle Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus and NU Lady Bulldogs’ Ramil de Jesus. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS/MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The third NU-La Salle championship features a duel of two decorated coaches in Philippine volleyball.

La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus brings with him 12 UAAP titles and over 300 wins, already securing his place in league history. Yet his passion remains as strong as ever as he tries to mentor a new generation of Lady Spikers to a 13th championship in his 21st finals appearance.

READ: UAAP: La Salle, De Jesus aim to match NU’s level in latest rivalry duel

“Maybe it’s just the result of hard work. This is my passion as a coach, helping young players grow, bringing out their talent,” said De Jesus in Filipino.

“And once you manage to guide them all the way to the finals, it’s a huge sense of fulfillment. That’s one of the things that keeps me motivated, being able to teach them what they need to learn and lead them to that stage.”

On the other side, NU’s Sherwin Meneses, who returned to the collegiate scene after nine years, now looks to guide the Lady Bulldogs in extending their dynasty.

From his time away from the collegiate league, Meneses has emerged as the most successful coach in the pro scene, delivering seven of Creamline’s 10 PVL titles including a historic grand slam last year. He is also the lone pro coach in the country with more than 100 wins.

“Ever since I first joined NU, the goal has always been to defend the crown, that’s the best thing that could happen,” said Meneses in Filipino. “Right now, we’re just taking it one point at a time. We’ll wait to see who we face in the Finals, then hopefully celebrate and be thankful if we win again.”

New women’s volleyball rivalry

NU Lady Bulldogs against La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. belen–MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

Ramil De Jesus and his Lady Spikers have been part of storied rivalries over the past three decades, from facing old rivals FEU and UST to battling Alyssa Valdez and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in six straight Finals.

Finding a new rival in NU, the 12-time UAAP champion coach said he has always known that the Lady Bulldogs’ core led by Belen and Solomon would thrive in the UAAP.

Despite his team’s pedigree, De Jesus also knows that La Salle is entering this duel as the underdogs. They have yet to beat NU since the first round of last year, getting swept in two rounds in the Season 87 eliminations.

“We all know NU. Those players have been together since high school. Their chemistry and experience run deep. So for us, we just really need to prepare well,” said De Jesus.

Meneses, meanwhile, wants to make NU’s connection count but reminded his players to remain focused and healthy heading into what promises to be a grueling finals series.

“We do have the advantage with our seniors,” said Meneses. “But like I told them, we need to get through this one-week prep with minimal injuries and accidents. We all need to stay healthy going into the Finals to have a better shot at defending the crown. The fight’s not over yet. We’re going to work hard to bring that title home for NU again.”

Canino vs Belen

La Salle’s Angel Canino against NU’s blockers led by Bella Belen during a game in the second round of UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

More than the championship, individual legacies are at stake as Belen eyes a storybook finish to her collegiate career with a third title, while Canino looks to stop her again and fight for La Salle’s pride.

Belen, 22, had another stellar season, leading NU to a 12-2 record, with their only losses coming against UP and Adamson.

READ: What drives Bella Belen? A winning end to storied UAAP career

After proving that a two-set deficit to FEU in the Final Four isn’t enough to stop the team, Belen and the Lady Bulldogs brace for another dog fight against Canino and the Lady Spikers, who once dominated them in the finals two years ago.

“When it comes to the finals, everything resets. So it really comes down to who wants it more,” Belen said.

Canino, leading the underdogs past another fierce rival in UST in a virtual best-of-three Final Four series, meanwhile, has pride fueling her in their return to the UAAP Finals.

“I think the most important thing heading into the finals is for La Salle players to carry pride,” said Canino.

“That’s part of coach Ramil’s legacy that has been built over the years. Being a Lady Spiker, you have to value that identity. When you enter the finals, you need to bring values you can share with the team, which will also reflect on the court. And also, self-discipline and respect for the opponent. Those are things coach Ramil is known for.”

Head-to-head battles

Beyond the MVP showdown between Belen and Canino, opposite hitters Shevana Laput and Alyssa Solomon are set to showcase their power in the pressure-packed finals stage.

It will be a tough duel between spikers Vange Alinsug and Alleiah Malaluan as well as liberos Shaira Jardio, protecting the Lady Bulldogs’ floor, and Lyka De Leon taking care of La Salle.

READ: UAAP: Malaluan brings experience into third La Salle-NU title clash

NU has the more experienced playmaker in Lams Lamina, but La Salle has a brave rookie setter in Mikole Reyes, who was praised by De Jesus for still helping the team make it to the finals.

The Lady Spikers, though, are banking on their frontline, led by Amie Provido and Lilay Del Castillo, and their blocking as their main strength against the Lady Bulldogs, who have middle blockers Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, and Alexa Mata.

With legacies at stake, expect another thrilling championship series between NU and La Salle when they kick off the series on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the historic Big Dome, which holds the previous volleyball attendance record.

Game 2 is on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena after the awarding ceremony. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at the same venue in Pasay City.