NU Lady Bulldogs’ Vange Alinsug during a tough victory over FEU Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Eager to give Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon a winning exit, Vange Alinsug conspired with the National University dynamic duo to survive gritty Far Eastern University and stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Alinsug dropped 19 points and 15 excellent receptions to backstop Solomon and Belen’s combined 44 points and pull off a come-from-behind 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 win on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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The third-year outside hitter said their comeback wasn’t just about their trio as they worked together to stay on top with Solomon pouring 23 points including the big blows in the last two sets and Belen firing seven aces to finish with 21 points.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen works her service magic again for NU Lady Bulldogs
Vange Alinsug seeks to win #UAAPSeason87 for Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1Ocdf09hzO
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 23, 2025
“Kami naman, kailangan lang talaga namin magsabay-sabay lahat. Hindi lang ako, hindi lang si Ate Belle or si Ate Aly pero kasi team kami so parang hindi siya mahirap sa akin makipagsabayan kasi ginagawa naman namin siya sa training so pagdating sa games dapat mas tuloy-tuloy pa siya sa amin,” Alinsug told reporters after the Lady Bulldogs improved to 3-0.
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It will be Belen and Solomon’s last dance with NU. Alinsug hopes to give them a successful title defense to end their collegiate careers.
“Super motivated kasi nag-stay talaga sila para sa amin. Kasi pwede namang umalis na sila since graduating na talaga sila. So, ibigay namin ito hindi lang para sa NU o sa team namin pero para din sa kanila na maganda yung alis nila sa amin,” she said.
Alinsug is also looking to learn from both players as they passed the torch to her and the younger Lady Bulldogs after the season.
READ: UAAP: NU withstands tough FEU challenge in women’s volleyball
“Hindi naman po siya ganon kadali pero kasi andun yung drive ko kasi gusto kong tumulong sa kanila and gusto rin namin talagang manalo,” she said. “Maganda siya sa akin since yun yung maiiwan nila sa akin. Magiging big role siya para sa akin sa susunod na season kasi ako yung nakipag-sabayan sa kanila ngayon hanggang sa madala ko sa susunod na tao.”
Alinsug proved that she’s channeling the bravery and composure of Solomon and Belen as they overcame their toughest challenge yet this season.
“Yung pagiging palaban nilang dalawa na hindi talaga sila susuko kasi gusto namin kunin yung set kagaya kanina noong fourth na… Pwede na kaming matalo nun e pero nakita ko sa kanila na gusto talaga nila makuha kasi madami kami pinaghirapan these past few weeks sa training so kukunin namin to. So nakikita ko sa kanila yung drive nila na hindi rin talaga magpapatalo,” Alinsug said.