De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is marching to its fifth straight finals appearance despite a challenging campaign in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball.
At the heart of the Lady Blazers’ resolve is head coach Jerry Yee, whose mere presence on the sidelines has served as a source of inspiration for the team.
Yee missed several preliminary games after undergoing a medical procedure to address a viral heart infection. The multi-titled tactician only returned to the games late last month, but continues his recovery as he works toward regaining full strength.
"Sobrang nakaka-appreciate na andiyan si Coach Jerry kasi kahit may iniinda nga siyang sakit, andito talaga siya, sa gilid namin," rookie standout Cam Bartolome told GMA News Online on Wednesday.
"‘Yung presence niya napaka-importante sa akin kasi siya ‘yung nagbibigay ng confidence. 'Yung balik namin sa effort niya na pumunta dito ay bigyan ng justice, ng panalo."
Unlike in previous seasons, Benilde faced a patchy road this year.
They absorbed three losses in the preliminary round after bowing to University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, San Beda University, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Still, they ended up enjoying a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals against Arellano University, whom they beat in four sets to enter the Final Four.
Their toughest test came in the semifinals against the Lady ALTAs.
Perpetual showed poise against the defending champions and dragged them into a fifth set. The Lady ALTAs even gained an early upper hand in the final frame, but the Lady Blazers unleashed a wild ending to draw first blood.
Benilde then stuck to its core in Game 2, ousting the Lady ALTAs with a 25-18, 26-24, 25-21 win to punch its ticket to the championship round.
The 18-year-old Bartolome said their return to the finals is a testament to their growth throughout the season.
"Siguro uhaw akong mag-champion at mag-five peat. Uhaw kami sa five-peat na ‘yun. Gusto naming i-continue ‘yung legacy," Bartolome added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
