In the intense world of collegiate volleyball, the National University (NU) teams emerged as dominant forces in the third week of the UAAP Season 86 tournaments. Both the men’s and women’s teams showcased their prowess by sweeping their pair of games, spearheaded by stellar performances from Bella Belen and Jade Disquitado.

Belen, a standout player under the mentorship of Norman Miguel, played a pivotal role in the victories of the women’s team. Her impressive stat line included 19 points, 19 digs, and 11 excellent receptions against Far Eastern University (FEU), followed by 11 markers, 10 digs, and five receptions against the University of the East (UE). Such outstanding contributions earned her the prestigious Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Player of the Week award for the period of March 4-10, presented by San Miguel Corporation.

Expressing her joy, Belen emphasized the collective effort of her team, highlighting the ethos of unity and shared success. She remarked, “We’re really happy kasi nakita namin na lahat is kayang mag contribute sa team,” underscoring NU’s commitment to elevating each member’s performance rather than relying solely on individual stars.

Belen’s stellar performances outshone other notable contenders for the weekly honor, including Angel Canino from De La Salle University, Angge Poyos from University of Santo Tomas, and Gerz Petallo from FEU.

On the men’s side, Jade Disquitado mirrored Belen’s excellence, playing a crucial role in NU’s five-game winning streak. The recipient of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference Finals MVP award showcased his versatility with a career-best 29-point game and 23 receptions against FEU, followed by 15 markers, four receptions, and two digs against UE.

Despite his individual achievements, Disquitado remained humble, attributing his success to Coach Dante Alinsunirin’s guidance and the collective effort of his teammates. He stated, “Masaya lang ako kasi maganda yung pinakita ko, pero sumunod lang naman ako sa sistema ni coach Dante, pati sa mga teammates ko,” reflecting NU’s emphasis on teamwork and adherence to their coach’s strategies.

Coach Alinsunirin commended Disquitado’s growth both on and off the court, noting improvements in his receiving and floor defense skills. He also praised Disquitado’s dedication to training and emphasized the importance of maintaining focus for sustained success.