Losing Game 1 in a race-to-two might have been a devastating blow, but the history-seeking Blazers are still in the fight for the most-coveted Season 100 trophy. 

Come Saturday, with their backs against the wall, the Taft-based squad looks to stop a Mapúa sweep and extend the series to a deciding Game 3. 

Benilde’s fight for survival is made more special by a historical backdrop against which their championship hopes lie, as the last time they hoisted an NCAA trophy– their first and only– was in 2000, twenty long years ago. 

Here’s a brief but fun list of events that happened in the year of the Benilde Blazers’ only reign in NCAA history.

- Carlos Yulo was born (February 26, 2000)

- Shaq-Kobe duo won their first of three NBA titles (June 19, 2000)

- Iconic GMA Public Affairs show ‘Imbestigador’ was launched (August 2, 2000)

- Old-school Nokia 3310 phone was launched (September 1, 2000)

- Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win a Career Grand Slam

- Actor and former politician Joseph Estrada was still the Philippine President

Catch the #NCAA100 Finals Game 2 LIVE, Mapúa vs Benilde, this December 7, 2:30 PM, at the Araneta Coliseum!

Also airing on GTV and Heart of Asia, and streaming live via NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.

(with reports from Zane Esparaga and Karen Tolenada)