For the past five years, National University (NU) has been the gold standard in collegiate men’s volleyball. The Bulldogs have not only dominated the courts, claiming titles and victories across various tournaments, but they have also played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of players for the Alas Pilipinas Men's team.
However, this season has presented a unique challenge. NU is currently without some of its key figures—Buds Buddin, Choi Diao, Jade Disquitado, Jade Ordiales, Leo Ordiales, Rwemzmel Taguibolos, and head coach Dante Alinsunurin—who are all representing Alas Pilipinas in their campaign, securing back-to-back bronze finishes in the Southeast Asia (SEA) V.League. With these notable absences, the Bulldogs find themselves navigating an unfamiliar path in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge.
In their opening match without their Alas teammates, NU faced a tough sweep at the hands of Far Eastern University (FEU). The Bulldogs struggled to find their footing against a formidable opponent, marking a stark departure from their usual commanding performances. However, they bounced back in their second game with a dramatic five-set victory over Ateneo de Manila University, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Despite the initial setbacks, NU team captain Leo Aringo remains optimistic and feels that the current situation has only fueled their motivation.
Aringo shared that the Bulldogs are inspired by their absent teammates, striving to uphold the high standards they have set.
“Yung mga teammates namin, nandoon sa Alas, nagtre-training din, nagpupukpukan sa training, gusto mag-improve talaga. And then ngayon, ipapakita namin sa training at sa laro na nagiimprove rin kami,” Aringo said.
He emphasized the importance of using their Alas teammates as inspiration, saying, “Kami, ginagawa namin silang inspirasyon para habulin sa kung anong stage na ba sila ng kalakasan nila. So far, yung mga teammates ko, papunta na doon.”
While the recent weeks have required numerous adjustments from the Bulldogs, Aringo remains confident that the team will continue to improve. He believes that the return of their Alas teammates will significantly bolster their performance as they continue their V-League campaign.
Currently, NU holds a respectable third-place position with a 3-2 record in the eight-team league organized by Sports Vision. With two crucial games left against De La Salle University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the Bulldogs are poised to make a strong push towards the playoffs.
“Malaking tulong yung mga nasa national team kasi, parang kung ipasok mo kami sa isang court ulit, kaming mga first six, familiar na kami sa gagawin,” said Aringo, a 6-foot-3 hitter from Davao City, highlighting the seamless chemistry and understanding that exists between the returning national team members and the current squad.
“Hindi ko na sila sasabihan masyado. Sobrang laki talaga, hindi ko rin naman tatanggalan ng credit yung mga teammates ko dito, malaki rin silang tulong sa amin.”
