WITH names that once defined National U no longer on the taraflex, what’s left is the truth of the program itself.
Stripped of the star power from Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon that illuminated previous campaigns, the Lady Bulldogs continue to prove they remain a force to reckon with.
NU swept University of the East on Sunday and marched forward to their fifth straight Final Four, the longest streak in program history, now propelled by a different core.
READ: NU secures Final Four return in post-Belen-Solomon era
At the center of it are seniors Camilla Lamina and Alexa Mata who may not be the most notable names in past runs, but are the ones still here in this transition to the next generation.
From Seasons 84 to 88, they’ve seen what winning looks like from every angle. The difference today is simple: they're no longer following, they’re leading.
“Very happy, pinaghandaan talaga namin. Hindi kami papayag na hindi makapasok, Lamina told SPIN.ph after they ensured their slot in the next round.
For the two-time best setter, each playoff berth isn't something to leave to chance, pointing to a standard set by all those seniors before them, which also include now-pros Jen Nierva, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan.
And that legacy now falls squarely on their shoulders because this version of Jhocson squad is different.
Gone is the safety net of superstars who can take over at any given moment. In its place is a younger group still learning how to navigate high-stakes moments, but guided, more than ever, by Lamina and Mata.
NU leaders of the band
For the first time since they entered the program, these seniors are the ones deciding the direction, as Lamina shared, “Mas more on kami talaga yung nag-lead sa mga bata.”
For Mata, that shift is felt in every rally.
“Mas nararamdaman ko yung pressure kasi ako na yung babad sa loob,” she admitted.
But even with the added weight, the identity hasn’t changed.
“But same fighting spirit pa rin,” she added.
Such consistency is what has allowed blue-and-gold to bridge eras without breaking form.
Still, leadership in this new era isn’t just about replicating what worked before. It’s about adjusting to what’s in front of them.
With a younger lineup stepping into bigger roles, patience has become just as important as performance. Lamina and Mata know the process isn’t always smooth; but it’s very much necessary.
“Kailangan lang maging patient, especially sa mga bata,” Lamina said.
Because this isn’t just another Final Four run.
This is National U proving that even without the stars who once burned bright, the system stands strong.
And that as one era ends, another doesn’t need to wait to begin.
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