De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will shoot for an unprecedented fifth straight championship as it opens its NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball campaign on Friday.
The Lady Blazers headline Group A alongside perennial contenders Mapua University and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, as well as San Sebastian College–Recoletos and Jose Rizal University.
Despite carrying a younger roster under the revamped tournament format, Benilde remains the team to beat—both in its group and across the league.
This season marks a new era for the Taft-based squad, which will compete without any players from the celebrated batch of Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, Cloanne Mondoñedo, and Mycah Go, all of whom have moved on to the professional ranks.
In their stead, head coach Jerry Yee will rely on veterans Zam Nolasco, Cristy Ondangan, Chenae Basarte, and Jessa Dorog as the Lady Blazers chase history.
Also returning for Benilde are rising aces twins Shahanna and Shekaina Lleses, along with Rhea Densing, Zen Basilio, and Fiona Getigan.
Mapua and Perpetual are likewise stacked heading into the season.
The Lady Cardinals, who finished fourth last year, will once again lean on ultra-scorer Freighanne Garcia, who erupted for a record 38 points in their third-place playoff loss to Arellano last season. Garcia poured in 37 attacks and one block to set the NCAA record for most points in a single game.
Backing her up are Nicole Ong, Raissa Ricablanca, Nadince Berces, Hannah De Guzman, and Princess Rebustes, with coach Aying Esteban still at the helm.
The Lady Altas, meanwhile, will field a veteran-laden roster led by Shai Omipon, Pauline Reyes, Fianne Ariola, Camille Bustamante, and Joanne Lozano. Perpetual is aiming for a return to the Final Four after missing the last two editions.
_2025_05_16_15_17_23.jpg)
Still, San Sebastian and JRU loom as potential dark horses.
The Lady Stags will be bannered by Kath Santos, Tina Marasigan, KJ Dionisio, Zenith Deposoy, and Juna Gonzales under head coach Roger Gorayeb, while Marianne Aloña, Gayle Batara, Nicole Deala, and Aurea Amante are expected to lead the Heavy Bombers.
This year’s tournament will follow the same format used in the previous basketball season, with teams facing opponents in their own group twice and teams from the other group once.
Group B is composed of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Arellano University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, San Beda University, and Emilio Aguinaldo College.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
