Yen Martin and Carl Berdal were at the forefront of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Arellano University's massive upset acts in the NCAA Season 100 volleyball tournament.
With Martin and Berdal leading the charge for the Lady Knights and the Chiefs, they were named the Players of the Week in the past week that saw their respective schools take down the defending champions.
Martin posted 19 points built on 17 attacks, one ace, and one block to propel the Lady Knights to a historic victory against no less than De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-22, 25-23, 26-24.
The win allowed Letran to end the Lady Blazers' 43-game winning streak that started in 2020.
Martin's production was no longer a surprise, especially for second-year head coach Oliver Almadro, who sees first-hand how his ward put in the work day in and day out.
“She’s really a hard worker. Disiplinadong bata. Napakabait. So who am I to prevent her from growing? So nag-go-grow pa rin si Yen and I do really hope na makuha niya ‘yung gusto niya, yung personality as a volleyball player,” Almadro said.
[She's really a hard worker. Disciplined kid. Very nice. So who am I to prevent her from growing? Yen continues to grow and I do really hope she gets what she wants, her personality as a volleyball player.]
In the men's division, Berdal proved to be the game changer for Arellano's 25-18, 22-25, 25-14, 21-25, 15-13 hard-fought victory over four-time reigning champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The veteran outside spiker detonated for 21 points anchored on 19 attacks and two blocks laced with 11 receptions as the Chiefs improved to 2-2.
“Alam naman natin na ang Perpetual is defending champion sa NCAA volleyball so big deal na natalo namin sila and nakaka-boost ng morale and confidence para madala namin sa next game,” the third-year spiker said.
[We know that Perpetual is the defending champion in NCAA volleyball so it's a big deal that we beat them and it's a boost for our morale and confidence that we can carry to the next game.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
