GAMES FRIDAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
12 noon – Letran vs. Benilde (Men’s do-or-die semis)
2:30 p.m.– Arellano vs. Mapua (Men’s do-or-die semis)
COLLEGE of Saint Benilde will go into the finals of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball against Letran focused on its drive to keep the crown this Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Blazers are out to complete a four-peat in the grand old league but know they will be up against a tough foe in the Lady Knights.
Last season, the two formidable squads met in the championship series and St. Benilde prevailed with the help of then-aces Cloanne Mondonedo, Gayle Pascual, Mich Gamit and Jade Gentapa, who have all finished their playing years.
“Need naming dagdagan pa iyong focus namin. And then sa training namin siguro lahat ng department dapat doblehin namin, iyong atake namin, iyong receiving namin, depensa, iyong blocking and then iyong focus sa game,” Benilde head mentor Onyok Getigan said.
Getigan pointed out that the departure of their former seniors will play a huge factor in the finals but stressed that the Lady Blazers, led by graduating skipper Mycah Go and third-year player Zam Nolasco, will display their champion form.
“Wala na iyong mga seniors namin [from last season] so malaking factor iyon. Ang maganda ngayon kasi, madaling nakapag-step up iyong mga natira. Pati iyong mga rookies, maaasahan mo,” he said.
“Kung mapapansin ninyo sa game, kahit sino iyong ipasok namin mag-co-contribute, tumutulong. So iyon malaking advantage iyon,” Getigan added.
Go said the Lady Blazers will continue their hard work to stretch their dynasty in the league, adding she is treating the finals pressure-free.
“Iyong pressure anjan naman iyan, so okay din naman na may pressure, pero iyon nga, depende naman iyan kung paano mo i-handle, so gusto ko rin naman i-take iyong pressure as positive,” she told reporters while confirming her attendance in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft night on Sunday evening.
