Two rookies announced their arrival in style as the NCAA Season 99 volleyball tournament wrapped up a thrilling and action-packed opening week.
Gia Maquilang of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Van Book of San Beda University both made an immediate impact to steer their respective teams, the Lady Knights and the Red Spikers, to unbeaten records so far.
The 20-year-old Maquilang lived up to the hype, churning out 17 points and grabbing eight receptions in their 16-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17 win over Season 97 finalist Arellano University last Wednesday.
She then proved it was no fluke, weaving 19 markers and 11 digs as the Muralla crew defeated University of Perpetual Help System Dalta for the first time in four years in pulling off a rare 25-21, 25-20, 30-28 sweep last Saturday to remain unbeaten in the tourney.
“Masaya po tapos may konting pressure kasi natural lang po 'yun. Tapos lagi kaming pinu-push ni Coach O (Oliver Almadro) na ‘wag kang matakot. Be positive,’” Maquilang, who led Letran to the NCAA Season 99 beach volleyball title just months ago, said.
“Sinasabi po lagi ni Coach O na face our fears at may tiwala po siya sa amin dahil nag-practice po kami para rito.”
[Happy but it's natural that there's a little pressure. We're always being pushed by Coach O to not be scared. Be positive... Coach O always says face our fears and that he trusts us because we practiced for this.]
Meanwhile, Book, also a 20-year-old rookie, wasted no time in proving he is now the go-to guy for the Red Spikers.
The 20-year-old Cagayan de Oro product scored 24 points and 12 receptions against Lyceum last Tuesday before erupting for 32 points against Saint Benilde on Friday alongside four digs.
But his sweetest victory came last Sunday after he delivered 21 points and six receptions in San Beda’s 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18 triumph over his former school San Sebastian College-Recoletos. Book was recruited by the Stags during the pandemic but wasn't able to suit up en route to transferring to San Beda.
With their stellar performances, Maquilang and Book were both named the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week for period April 7-14.
Maquilang bested Joan Doguna of Lyceum and Michelle Gamit of two-time defending champion Benilde while Book edged San Sebastian's Kyle Villamor, Marvin Romero of Emilio Aguinaldo College, and reigning MVP Louie Ramirez of three-peat champion Perpetual.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
