College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers. | PHOTO: NCAA
If St. Benilde remains unchecked, it will continue a run of wins that has gone on for 30 games thus far.
In the current NCAA Season 99, women’s volleyball championship, Letran remains the last team that can put the brakes on the streak.
So maybe it’s easy to dismiss the Knights, or at least label them heavy, heavy underdogs—emphasis on heavy.
There is one person who doesn’t think so. And he sits at the front end of the Lady Blazers bench.
“Expectations aside, all teams are on equal footing when they get to the Finals,” said St. Benilde coach Jerry Yee. “Both teams have to execute their plans and strategies come game time.”
Don’t be fooled though. Last April 1, the Lady Blazers scored a 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 win over the Lady Knights, and that was already considered a tough one for the defending champions.
Letran will have to dig really deep to break St. Benilde’s stranglehold of women’s volleyball in the NCAA.
“I am not the only one excited; the whole community of Colegio de San Juan de Letran shares this excitement,” said coach Oliver Almadro, who took over Letran’s squad only this season.
Already a winner
“It’s been a while since the school qualified for the Finals,” added the former Ateneo coach in the UAAP, whose squad finished No. 2 with a 7-2 record before outlasting Lyceum in the semifinals.
“We are so blessed to have reached this far in NCAA Season 99, thanks to the faith, discipline, and determination of the players who embraced the system and their eagerness to learn.”
Whatever happens, though, the team’s common benefactor is already a winner.
Strong Group, whose squads in the PBA and PVL have yet to make their mark, bankrolls both the St. Benilde and Letran programs.
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“A lot of programs in the NCAA are not as well supported as those in the other league (UAAP). Some teams only have scholarships to offer,” said Yee. “Strong Group’s support provides or covers at least the basics, like proper meals and some allowances.” —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ