GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. — Letran vs. Arellano (M)
1:30 p.m.– Individual Awarding
2:30 p.m.– Letran vs. Benilde (W)
COLLEGE of Saint Benilde battles Letran anew today at The Arena in San Juan, with the Lady Blazers going for the jugular in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament to complete a four-peat.
Game 2 of the best-of-3 finals is set at 2:30 p.m., with the Lady Knights raring to battle back from a four-set defeat in the finals opener last Sunday.
That is easier said than done, however, in the face of the Lady Blazers’ bid to extend their dominance and dynasty in the grand old league.
The Taft-based crew is a win away from stretching their reign under the mentorship of Jerry Yee, which started in Season 97 in 2022.
A successful four-peat championship will be Benilde’s fifth overall title in the league.
Led by middle blocker Zam Nolasco and graduating skipper Mycah Go, the Onyok Getigan-coached Lady Blazers outlasted the Lady Knights in a come-from-behind victory 26-28, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19 in Game 1 and are primed to score another big win.
“Kami naman, susunod lang sa plan and iyon, mag-a-all out lang sa next game kasi gusto na rin naming matapos na and kunin iyong championship,” said Nolasco, who led the tournament in blocs at the end of the double-round eliminations.
The Lady Knights will go into the game determined to force a deciding Game 3.
Letran mentor Oliver Almadro is hoping his charges will go into battle with a determined drive.
“What I told them is to have strong character, strong mindset, [and] mental toughness during end games. We really have to close sets properly. So iyon lang ang kailangan naming,” said Almadro, whose squad is vying to end a 26-year title drought.
“So, nothing unusual. I’m happy with the skills. I’m happy with the effort. Iyong end game, iyong mindset at iyong maturity, that’s what we need towards the end of each set,” he added.
Letran is pinning its hopes on team captain Lara Silva, Judiel Nitura, and rookie Vanessa Sarie to live for another day.
