BY ABBY TORALBA
WHICH team’s historic bid will be realized?
Defending champion College of St. Benilde takes on Lyceum today in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals showdown for the 98th NCAA women’s volleyball title at The Arena in San Juan.
The match is set at 2 p.m., with the Lady Blazers raring to annex a second straight crown to cap another perfect season and the Lady Pirates equally determined to reach the Promised Land for the first time since joining the league 12 years ago.
CSB gained an outright finals slot for the second straight season after it swept the eliminations with a 9-0 mark under coach Jerry Yee.
Without reigning MVP Mycah Go who is sitting out the tourney with an ACL injury, the Lady Blazers are fast proving they still have what it takes.
“Iyong preparation namin sa three weeks siguro, kailangan lang namin paghandaan iyong katawan namin,” CSB assistant coach Jay Chua said.
“Iyong utak, then iyong training pa rin namin hindi namin pababayaan,” he added.
Opposite hitter Gayle Pascual along with skipper Cloanne Mondonedo, Jade Gentapa, Michelle Gamit, Jessa Dorog, Zamantha Nolasco and Fiona Getigan will be counted upon by the Lady Blazers to deliver.
“Siyempre we’re targeting the crown. Sabi ko nga nandito na kami, hindi namin tatargetin iyong mas lower. But honestly speaking, sobrang hirap ng pagdadaanan namin against them kasi I know kung gaano ka-established iyong system nila especially (with) coach Jerry,” Lyceum strategist Cromwel Garcia said.
