NEXT QUEEN DOGS TO RISE

Two National U royalties are leaving their queendom with a great history made and legacy achieved.

- By JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

Three-time MVP Bella Belen and last season's Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon had played their final games as Lady Bulldogs in epic fashions, leading NU to a second straight championship and third overall in the last four seasons with a 2-0 sweep of La Salle in UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball finals.

The NU Lady Bulldogs have established themselves as the great power, with a straight-sets disposal of the Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, punctuating their successful title defense.

The question, however, is where's the troops of Sherwin Meneses heading on the exit of Belen and Solomon.

Will there be enough firepower left to defend NU's throne next season? Who will rise and fill the big shoes left by Belen and Solomon? Is three-peat possible without them? Are the up-and-coming NU players ready to fend off the wrath of La Salle and the rest of the pack?

Inasmuch as they wanted to savor first the championship, the Lady Bulldogs assured readiness to take the baton and torch to be left behind by their seniors.