FOR some athletes, a silver medal is already enough reason to walk away.
But for the longtime core of National U, unfinished business proved stronger than any farewell.
Instead of closing the chapter after another finals run, veterans Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, Cham Maaya, Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar have confirmed to SPIN.ph that they are set to return for one final season, keeping intact a core that has long embodied gold-and-blue’s culture of grit, loyalty, and continuity.
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In doing so, they also made the decision that former NU star Bella Belen once admitted she regretted not taking: returning for one more year.
For Jardio, the choice to stay was never difficult.
“I stayed po dahil mahal ko ang NU community at gusto ko na mapag-champion namin yung last playing year namin,” she told SPIN.ph.
Despite earning her first best libero recognition this season, the veteran defense specialist emphasized that personal accolades were never the main goal.
“Hindi ko po kasi main goal yung award sa season na po to kasi yung main goal ko po talaga is yung championship.”
Rather than ending their collegiate journeys with what-ifs, the NU seniors chose to give themselves one last chance to finish the story the way they envisioned it - together.
But beyond redemption, their return also signals intent: to reclaim what they fell short of and continue sustaining the winning culture of Jhocson even as the program gradually transitions away from its veteran era.
“Siguro reward ko nalang din sa sarili ko po ’yon at mas lalo ko pa po gagalingan sa last playing year ko po para sa team at makapag-championship po ulit,” Jardio added.
For a program built on continuity and standards, the return of its core is more than a second act - it is a push for redemption, and a statement that NU remains a title contender even amid the departure of key veterans who once defined its dynasty years.
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