VANGE Alinsug has long been touted as the eventual heiress to National U’s throne set to be vacated by the senior power duo of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
While she isn’t one to embrace the limelight too much, the Lady Bulldogs junior let her game do the talking in the most important stage of their ongoing UAAP Season 87 title defense.
The 22-year-old ace delivered the performance of her life with a career-high 21 attack points, including the two match-winning kills, as NU took Game One of the best-of-three finals against La Salle.
READ: Belen outduels Canino as NU outguns La Salle in Game 1
It was an inspired performance that did all the talking for Alinsug and sent a resounding statement on the blue-and-gold’s future without its two biggest stars.
“Hindi ko pa siya iniisip, pero nandu’n na rin po [‘yung pressure] dahil alam naman na natin na last [playing year] na talaga nila [Belen and Solomon] ngayon,” Alinsug told SPIN.ph.
“Hindi na po nawawala sa’kin kung paano ko iaangat ‘yung laban ng mga kasama ko dito sa UAAP since ito ‘yung pinakaimportante na season para sa’min.”
NU Bella, Alyssa? NU problem!
To ease the burden of such immense pressure, Alinsug continues to draw inspiration and mirror the physical and mental fortitude Belen and Solomon have exhibited in the collegiate ranks over the last four years.
In times of doubt, the Lady Bulldogs' winger reminds herself of the unique position and honor she holds as a teammate, mentee, and friend to two of the brightest superstars to have ever graced the sport in the Philippines.
“Sobrang inspiring po nila sa’kin na hindi ko sila kalaban, teammates ko sila […] at nakaka-motivate ‘yun para sa’kin na dalhin sa mga iba kong kasama,” Alinsug said.
“Nakikita ko po ‘yung hard work nila, since nag-rookie-MVP din siya [Belen]. High school pa lang ako nu’n pero nakikita ko na kung gaano sila kasisipag para makuha ‘yung history nu’ng Season 84.”
In three days’ time, she has the chance to do the same by standing at the forefront of what could be NU’s first-ever back-to-back championship come Game 2 on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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