Mapua University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will showcase strong core lineups in the NCAA Season 101 men’s volleyball tournament as they aim to bounce back from their Final Four exits last year.
The Cardinals and Blazers are the heavy favorites in Group A, alongside San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Jose Rizal University, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Mapua will rely on graduating standout Barbie San Andres and veterans Juancho Barba, Olsen Jamisola, and Arjay Ramos to avenge their Season 100 heartbreak. Supporting them are Ramil Gripo, Alvin Macadangdang, Patrick Musni, Ace Quemada, and Joseph Yap, with Clarence Esteban still at the helm as coach. Last season, Mapua finished second in the eliminations but fell twice to eventual champion Arellano University in the semifinals.
Benilde, meanwhile, aims to recover from its Season 100 run, where it led the eliminations but bowed out against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Final Four. The Blazers will lean on reigning MVP Rocky Motol and key holdovers John Austero, Mike Balbacal, and Reymark Betco, while also unleashing newcomer John Vincent Estrada in their bid to surpass last season’s finish.
San Sebastian will feature veteran Kyle Villamor along with Rhenmart Alba, Joshua Espenida, and Cedric Lim, while JRU will depend on last year’s rookie stars Heny Ocay, Paolo Barrientos, and Matthew Malilin.
Perpetual, a former powerhouse, will look to reclaim its glory. Despite missing two stars in Jeff Marapoc and Kobe Tabuga, the Altas will field John Castil, Klint Mateo, and a mix of young talents under coach Macky Cariño. The Las Piñas-based team missed last year’s Final Four after winning five of the last six championships.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
