Defending National Collegiate Athletic Association women's volleyball champion College of Saint Benilde will be battle-ready despite the absence of Season 97 Most Valuable Player Mycah Go.

Lady Blazers' physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach JP Martires told Daily Tribune that everyone on the roster is in top shape once the NCAA Season 98 volleyball wars start next month.

Go suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, meniscal tear, minor medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament strain that forced her out of the season.

"We do what is called 'rehabilitation strengthening' to prevent them from injuries. What happened to Mycah was really an accident," Martires said.

"Our injuries are actually lesser than before. It's just that what happened to Mycah was unfortunate."

Saint Benilde still has an intact core from last season's championship run with Jade Gentapa, Cloanne Mondonedo, Michelle Gamit and Gayle Pascual still on the roster.

Head coach Jerry Yee will still call the shots for the Lady Blazers despite his commitment to Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Martires assured the Saint Benilde fans that despite Go not participating this year, she will be working hard to get back into playing form.

"Usually, an ACL recovery requires nine months or less depending on her. But the standard is nine months of recovery before returning to play," Martires said.

"Rest assured that she will be back, definitely stronger than ever. This is a reminder that they should protect their bodies as well. We'll take it one day at a time."