LONG before she became a champion and team captain of National U, Vange Alinsug was just an young talent from Catmon, Cebu whose passion for volleyball soon blossomed into a serious pursuit after local coaches noticed her potential.
In 2016, that potential translated into success on a bigger stage, as Alinsug became part of the Central Visayas squad that captured the girls’ volleyball title in the Palarong Pambansa.
That championship team featured several players who would later become familiar names in collegiate volleyball, including Casiey Dongallo, Reg Jurado, Khy Cepada, and Abe Pono.
The victory did more than bring a gold medal to Region VII, it also caught the attention of recruiter from NU-Nazareth School.
Soon after, former NU assistant coach Aaron Velez recruited Alinsug, prompting the 5-foot-7 spiker to make the life-changing move from Cebu to Manila to join the blue-and-gold program.
Mula Catmon, naging Bullpup
Of course, adjusting to a new environment was not easy, but the opportunity allowed her to develop her game alongside more than a few of the country’s top young talents - and her growth quickly translated into results.
The Cebuana became part of the Lady Bullpups squad that finished with a silver medal in UAAP Season 81 girls’ volleyball. The following years would prove even more fruitful.
In 2019, she helped lead NUNS to another Palarong Pambansa championship, this time representing National Capital Region. That same year, she competed internationally in the ASEAN School Games held in Thailand, where the Philippine team seized silver.
Alinsug's high school career reached its peak in Season 82, when the Lady Bullpups regained the title. She was also hailed as Finals MVP, cementing her status as one of the program’s brightest rising stars.
When it came time to transition to college, staying in Sampaloc felt like the easiest decision.
Despite the uncertainty brought by the pandemic - when many student-athletes chose to transfer schools - the outside hitter remained loyal to the program that had shaped her development.
For her, NU had become home.
“Ayoko na din ng panibagong environment. Kasi sa team ko, which is kilala ko na sila, and hindi na rin ako mahirapan kapag nag-adjust ako sa college, kaya din ako nag-stay,” she told SPIN.ph. "And siyempre, mahal ko din talaga ang NU."
In her collegiate debut in Season 85, it seemed like déjà vu, as the Lady Bulldogs once again fell in the finals.
Still, Alinsug refused to let the experience bring her down.
“Hindi ako nag-stop doon kasi rookie pa lang ako. Alam ko naman natalo kami, pero still, babawi kami noong second-year ako. Pinagtrabahuan din talaga namin yun,” the 23-year old stated.
Indeed, the year after, National U reclaimed the crown then successfully defended the title, giving her back-to-back championships at the collegiate level.
READ: NU witnesses passing of torch as Alinsug comes up big for seniors Belen, Solomon
Even better, Alinsug's impact was most evident on the biggest stage, as she was named co-Finals MVP in Season 87 alongside libero Shaira Jardio.
Alinsunod kay Alinsug
Now the skipper of the dynastic program, she finds herself guiding young teammates the same way her veterans once mentored her.
And truth be told, the 23 year old is still getting used to being the leader of the standard-setter in women's volleyball.
As she put it, “Parang nabibigla pa ako na senior na pala ako.”
Still, Alinsug has embraced the responsibility with the same quiet determination that has defined her career. Supported by fellow seniors, she continues to help uphold the culture of excellence that has become the signature of the Lady Bulldogs.
From a young girl playing in a municipality of Cebu province to a decorated champion in the UAAP, Alinsug is yet another proof that dreaming big coupled with working hard makes magic.
And as she continues to lead NU, her story is far from finished.
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