There's only one goal for the NU Lady Bulldogs for the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball championship—win the title once more. Nothing else.
The Lady Bulldogs finished as runner-ups last year after winning it all with a clean sweep in Season 84. This year, they will be looking to reclaim that glory, with Norman Miguel as head coach.
“Talagang gusto namin makuha 'yung title. By all possible means kailangan makuha 'yun. All out ang Lady Bulldogs,” Miguel told One Sports.
The veteran mentor is no stranger to the NU system, having already coached the team back in Season 81 and 82.
The Lady Bulldogs, then led by Best Middle Blocker Roselyn Doria and Best Server Princess Robles, finished sixth with a 4-10 record in Season 81. They started 2-0 in Season 82, but the year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Miguel's 2020 resignation, coach Karl Dimaculangan took over and lead NU to a sweep of Season 84 behind Rookie-MVP Bella Belen. Unfortunately for the Lady Bulldogs, Angel Canino repeated Belen's epic feat last season, and denied NU a title repeat.
Still, the Lady Bulldogs retain the core of team captain Erin Pangilinan, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Camilla Lamina, giving coach Miguel enough weapons for a shot at redemption.
For Season 86, NU is also bringing in valuable experience from its SEA V.League stint last year. Solomon was hailed Best Opposite Spiker in the tournament's second leg.
NU is likewise coming off a dominant run, going undefeated in the Shakey’s Super League.
With all that, coach Norman believes there’s only direction that the Lady Bulldogs plan to take.
“This is collective for them na coming to Season 86, malinaw sa kanila 'yung goal nila. This time, redemption talaga,” said Miguel. “They're really aware that they're gonna redeem the title, 100%. 'Yun ang clear sa kanila, 'yun ang direction nila.”
