FROM one former Queen Bulldog to her two rising heiresses, Jaja Santiago watched from Big Dome stands as National University survived a Final Four scare from Far Eastern University for the school’s third straight Finals appearance.
In the midst of the team’s on-court celebrations, Santiago joined the new breed of Lady Bulldogs and gave a quick pep talks to the team’s one-two scoring punch of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
READ: Jaja Santiago confirms Japan naturalization process ongoing
The UAAP Season 80 MVP was rather animated in her brief chat with Solomon where she was seen demonstrating a few spiking gestures. And as she faced reporters shortly after the match, Solomon bared how grateful she was — not only for Santiago’s wisdom and expertise but for her mere presence in the match amid her busy schedule.
“Nung katabi ko si Ate Ja (Santiago), sabi niya: ‘Ano ba naman ‘yung mga palo mo?’ Pinagalitan ako! Hindi naman pagalit, pero parang in-advice-an ako na ‘taasan mo pa ‘yung kamay mo sa palo’ at ‘dapat mas mabilis ka pa mag-approach,” said Solomon.
Such technical advice, quick and brief of a talk as it was, became an instant eye-opener for Solomon as she realized how much more she can still grow in the sport.
“After nu’ng (usap namin), after niyang sabihin ‘yun, sabi ko: ‘Kulang pa rin talaga.’ Marami pa talagang dapat i-work on (sa laro ko) pero super happy ako kasi nag-oobserve siya sa mga bawat galaw namin,” she added.
Just a few moments after her chat with Solomon, Santiago found herself standing next to Belen — whose conversation took a different turn than that of her fellow ace spiker.
Apart from technique-centered tips, what she took to heart the most from Santiago, the last NU player to win UAAP MVP in Season 80 (2018) before Belen’s rookie-MVP run four years later in Season 84 (2022), were her kinds words on the Lady Bulldogs’ leadership and excellence on and off the court.
“Sabi naman niya (Jaja Santiago) po, grabe ‘yung leadership namin and talagang proud siya sa’min na nakikita niya kaming nag-eexcel. Nagbigay din siya ng tips na dapat mas mauna pa ng talon kasi parang complacent pa nga nu’ng second set. Buti na lang na pinagtrabahuan talaga ng team na hindi ibigay ‘yung set na ‘yun,” said Belen.
However, it wasn’t only Santiago’s presence which fueled the Lady Bulldogs’ Finals-clinching victory. The likes of former NU aces in reigning Finals MVP and former captain Cess Robles, Jen Nierva and Joyme Cagande were also in attendance — all of whom Belen considered as the current team’s constant inspiration through the highs and lows of the ongoing season.
Belen, Solomon stand on the shoulders of giants
Although already a champion with NU, Belen added how this Season 86 redemption run, in particular, is also for all of their predecessors who didn’t get the chance to win a UAAP title with the Lady Bulldogs.
But the MVP frontrunner pointed out how she didn’t want the team to get too carried away in the pursuit of redeeming themselves from last year’s finals defeat to La Salle.
“Nakakatuwa lang din na nandun si Ate Jaja at ‘yung dati naming teammates, kasi hindi lang para sa amin ‘tong ginagawa namin kundi para rin sa mga dati naming teammates at ‘yung dating players ng NU na hindi nagkaroon ng championship, so ginagawa rin namin silang inspirasyon kanina,” Belen said.
“’Yung redemption, medyo kinalimutan muna namin siya. More on work muna kami. Kailangan naming magtrabaho. ‘Yung redemption na ‘yun, makakamit namin siya ‘pag ginawa namin ‘yung trabaho namin this season.
“Kahit nagkaroon kami ng mga losses this season, ‘yun ‘yung nagpatatag pa sa’min as a team. Du’n kami sinubok pero talagang nag-stick kami as one,” she added.
With University of Sto. Tomas standing in their way, Belen & Co. are two wins away not only from redemption but from restoring championship glory once lost which they’ve longed for the last year.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
