Ex-Lady Bulldogs thrive with Arellano volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — It may have been an elimination round match, but the Arellano University Lady Chiefs had a lot at stake when they took on the National University Lady Bulldogs Saturday, July 25 in the Shakey’s V-League 12 Collegiate Conference.

For one, they were eying their first-ever victory over the talented UAAP squad, which they achieved. They also wanted vindication, which they got. 

Libero Jan Galang is one of 3 former Lady Bulldogs on the Lady Chiefs’ line-up for this V-League conference, excluding guest player Mina Aganon, who has already graduated from NU.

She did not deny the feeling of having proved something as the reigning NCAA champions defeated NU on Saturday, 25-23, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22.

“Nandoon na rin yung kailangan may mapatunayan kami,” said the 20-year old who played just one year in Season 72 for the Lady Bulldogs. “Maipakita namin sa kanila kung ano yung nawala.” 

(Naturally we feel like we want to prove ourselves. We must show them what they lost.)

Galang was under former NU coach Francis Vicente then when she was converted from setter to the only libero on the team. She had little time to develop then and was tasked right away to man the Lady Bulldogs’ floor defense. 

When she was cut from the team, Galang explored her options and ended up in Arellano thanks to the persuasion of veteran Elaine Sagun, another former Lady Bulldog who transferred. 

“Nakita ko naman na maganda din yung pamamalakad sa kanila (I saw Arellano was being run well),” she said.

Against NU, Galang used familiarity with her former team to her advantage. 

“Masaya kasi una pa lang advantage na kagad kami kasi ilan kaming galing sa NU so yung kapasidad nila, yung galawan nila, alam na namin,” she explained. “Nakatulong talaga kami sa team namin.”

(It was good because we had the advantage right away because a number of us came from NU so we know their capacity and moves. We were able to really help our team.) 

Team captain Cristine Joy Rosario is the third Arellano player formerly of NU and playing on her final year this season. Though she was silent in this game with just two points. 

There are more on the team being trained but were not lined up for the V-League.

Head coach Roberto Javier, himself a former Bulldog who played for the men’s volleyball team in 1998 and 2000, admitted many players cut from NU go to Arellano, where they are welcomed and given a new chance to finish their education.

“Yung nawawala sa NU, kami unang takbuhan. Willing kami tumulong sa bata, lalo sa studies,” Javier explained.

“Marami na ganun nangyari. Yun ang paraan ko para makatulong at makatapos sila. Sabi ko sa kanila mas importante yung aral. Unahin lagi muna aral bago laro.” 

(Those dropped from NU immediately come to us. We’re willing to help them especially with their studies. That happened many times already. That’s my way of helping them and for them to finish school. I told them their education is more important. Prioritize studying always over playing.) 

No hard feelings

Despite the desire for vindication, Javier emphasized Arellano and NU players are friends off the court. 

Former Lady Bulldogs standout Aganon attested to that, sharing how she helped calm some of the anxious Lady Chiefs heading into the game.

Aganon herself was all business against her old teammates, dropping 11 points all off kills including the drop ball for matchpoint.

“Sa akin mas gusto ko sana maglaro sa kanila. Pero ngayon trabaho na lang naman (I wanted to play for them. But now this is just work for me),” said the open spiker who played her last year for NU in UAAP Season 76. 

Aganon, 22 and lined up with Petron in the pro league, shared she even rode with NU’s team bus on the way to the Arena before the game. 

“Wala naman gigil. Naging malapit naman sila sa akin lahat e,” she said. “Pero pag dating sa court, kalaban muna.”

(There are no hard feelings. They are all close to me. But on the court, we’re opponents.) 

National University, now 2-1 in Group A, has Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University as their last two opponents, while Arellano is set to face University of Batangas and University of the Philippines. — Rappler.com