Games on Friday
(San Andres Gym)
10:00 a.m. — Opening Ceremony
12:00 p.m. — Benilde vs Mapua (Women’s)
2:30 p.m. — Letran vs Arellano (Women’s)
5:00 p.m. — Benilde vs Mapua (Men’s)
7:00 p.m. — Letran vs Arellano (Men’s)
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Arellano University will begin their respective title defense bids as the NCAA Season 101 volleyball tournament opens on Friday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
The Lady Blazers will gun for a fifth straight championship behind Zam Nolasco, Aya Densing, Cristy Ondangan, Clydel Catarig, and Jessa Dorog, despite the departure of Mycah Go and Wielyn Estoque.
Benilde will face Mapua University, which is aiming for a return to the Final Four. The Lady Cardinals will lean on veterans Nicole Ong and Hannah De Guzman, along with Freighanne Garcia, who holds the NCAA record for the highest scoring performance in a single game with 38 points.
Final Four teams Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Arellano University will also open their campaigns on Friday afternoon, before the men’s clash between Benilde and Mapua.
At 7:00 p.m., defending champions Arellano Chiefs will take on finals opponent Letran Knights in the men’s division.
The Chiefs will be without Carl Berdal and Adi Villados but will still field key players AC Guinto, Jiwen Sinuto, and former Emilio Aguinaldo College standout Ervin Osabel.
The Knights, meanwhile, seek to avenge their finals loss as Vince Himzon, Bembem Bautista, and Wayne Araño return for the Intramuros-based squad.
Saturday’s schedule features San Sebastian College-Recoletos against Jose Rizal University, with the men’s match at 9:00 a.m. and the women’s game at 11:00 a.m. San Beda University will then face Lyceum of the Philippines University, with the women’s match preceding the men’s contest.
On Sunday, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA will make its season debut against Benilde, with the men’s game set for 9:00 a.m. and the women’s match at 12:00 p.m. Emilio Aguinaldo College will also open its campaign against Letran, with the women’s game at 2:30 p.m., followed by the men’s match at 5:00 p.m.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
