NCAA spikefest gets going

VOLLEY

Defending champion College of Saint Benilde starts its three-peat campaign when it faces Emilio Aguinaldo College today in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Blazers face off against the Lady Generals at 11:30 a.m. as they boast an intact core from last year's championship run.

An opening ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. with all the 10 members schools of the country's oldest collegiate league in attendance.

Season 98 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jade Gentapa and Best Opposite Spiker Gayle Pascual banner Saint Benilde's roster with veteran Mycah Go returning after getting sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo is also ready to back up the Taft-based squad along with Michelle Gamit, Cristy Odangan, Zamantha Nolasco and rookie Clydel Catarig.

Also happening at 2 p.m. is University of Perpetual Help System Dalta going up against Jose Rizal University.

Backed by league MVP Mary Rhose Dapol and Season 98 Rookie of the Year Shaila Omipon, the Lady Altas look to challenge Saint Benilde's hold on the throne after leading the Bacoor City Strikers to a Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball League title.

But all eyes will be on the Lady Blazers, a team that also boasts of a 28-game winning streak in the NCAA dating back to 2020.

Under head coach Jerry Yee, the Lady Blazers had a fruitful off-season, winning last year's 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge after sweeping Far Eastern University in their best-of-three championship series.