For the longest time, Arellano University was the team to beat in the NCAA volleyball tournament.
But College of Saint Benilde on Friday put an end to Lady Chiefs' three-season supremacy, sweeping all 11 games in Season 97 en route to a season sweep as the championship made its way back to Taft.
And CSB head coach Jerry Yee is glad that his newly-minted title team has contributed in raising the level of competition in the league.
"As it should be, ganon naman lahat eh, kahit si Arellano pa 'yan, kahit si San Sebastian pa 'yan. Sila rin naman may targets on their back, so 'yung mga other programs nag-iimprove talaga eh," said Yee on the heels of their historic championship in San Juan.
"JRU andyan, Mapua andyan so hindi naman pwedeng hindi kami aware about that. Sige lang, trabaho lang kami. Maganda 'yun so better 'yung mga matches."
Although they swept the season, Yee shared that they were not spared from challenges as they had to train all the way in Pangasinan to prepare for the season amidst the pandemic.
"Ang hirap eh, pandemic, nakakulong tayo and the first news na marinig mo na pwede nang lumabas or pwede ng whatever, sobrang excited natin. We met sometimes sa Pangasinan pa eh," Yee added.
But despite a talented pool of athletes, Yee said he didn't know they could pull off a rare season sweep, but stressed he has always believed his wards.
"Mahirap na tanong 'yan pero tiwala ako sa girls kasi masipag 'yung girls and then, kita ko 'yung mga abilities nila," the veteran mentor said.
"Kasama ko na 'yan ng matagal na, so magkakilala na kami. I don't know, hindi pero yes."
—JMB, GMA News
