The NCAA Season 100 Women’s Volleyball celebrated both the landmark season of the grand old league and the golden anniversary of the women’s division since its inception in 1975. The Benildean Press Corps analyzes each team and predicts their performance for Season 100.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers
Previous Standing: Champions
The Lady Blazers successfully secured their third consecutive championship against the Letran Lady Knights. The ladies in green and white also remained undefeated, extending their winning streak to 40 games last season.
Major Losses: Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, Jade Gentapa, Cloanne Mondonedo
Unfortunately for the Taft squad, the Season 99 championship was the last dance for Best Setter and MVP Cloanne Mondonedo, two-time Finals MVP Gayle Pascual, Season 98 Best Outside Spiker Jade Gentapa, and veteran middle-blocker Michelle Gamit. Their departure marks the end of an era and the dawn of a new one for the Lady Blazers.
Prediction: 4-peat Champions
With key holdovers like Mycah Go, Wielyn Estoque, Zamantha Nolasco, Jessa Dorog, and Clydel Catarig, the Lady Blazers are poised to defend the NCAA Volleyball throne. After being the last NCAA team standing in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-Season Championship’s playoffs. With their winning streak extended to 41 after their victory vs Arellano on opening day, there is no doubt that they are still the team to beat this season.
Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) Lady Knights
Previous Standing: 1st Runner-up
The Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) settled with the silver medal after succumbing to the Lady Blazers’ flawless run. The introduction of Coach Oliver Almadro and Gia Maquilang into the team filled the gap left by veterans Cha Cuñada and Shereena Urmeneta as they ended the season with a 7-4 win-loss record.
No major losses or additions
Prediction: 2nd Runner-up
The Lady Knights took the “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset to heart. Although their current system may not rival the glory days of the Magnificent Seven, their promising performance in the preseason proves that they remain a formidable force to watch out for in the upcoming season.
Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates
Previous Standing: 2nd Runner-up
Despite facing off revamped teams, the Lady Pirates have established themselves as strong contenders by booking a seat in the Final Four for two consecutive seasons. However, the ladies donning red and silver lost firepower in the semis and claimed a podium finish with a 7-4 record.
No major losses
Key Additions: Angelica Cruz and Ashley Muchillas
The LPU Pirates will be bolstered by former Junior Pirate and middle-blocker Angelica Cruz and opposite hitter Ashley Muchillas who had promising performances in the pre-season.
Prediction: 1st Runner-up
The Intramuros squad has an intact core led by returning two-time Best Setter and team captain Venice Puzon, alongside last season’s Best Opposite Hitter Janeth Tulang and Best Middle Blocker Hiromi Osada. This veteran squad has also been the only team that has mounted an almost successful smash of the Lady Blazers’ flawless record, forcing a grudge match that kept people at the edge of their seats.
Arellano University (AU) Lady Chiefs
Previous Standing: 4th seed
The Arellano University Lady Chiefs had a revamped team that rose through the ranks under the system of Coach Obet Javier, bouncing back with an impressive Final Four appearance.
Major Loss: Dodee Batindaan
The key player losses of Arellano University included their team captain Dodee Batindaan, and veterans Donnalyn Oaralejas, Lorraine Pecana, Robbie Matawaran, and Charmain Dino.
No key additions
Prediction: 4th seed
The Lady Chiefs sowed the fruit of their investment with returning players such as Harem Ceballos, Moming Padillon, Laika Tudlasan, and Heart Villaflores. Regardless of all the doubts in the Legarda squad, their championship beat remains palpable after a three-year drought from their three-peat.
Mapua University (MU) Lady Cardinals
Previous Standing: 5th seed
The Mapua University Lady Cardinals are one of the teams with a 50-year title drought in women’s volleyball. The Intramuros-based squad narrowly missed out on the Final Four, finishing with a 6-3 win-loss record, only a win behind the Lady Chiefs and the Lady Cardinals.
Major Loss: Roxie Dela Cruz
The Lady Cardinals lost their rising star Roxie Dela Cruz to the Lyceum of the Philippines University in the off-season before the centennial tournament, adding another obstacle to their dreams of a Final Four appearance.
No key additions
Prediction: 7th seed
Volleyball is not a one-man show and the Lady Cardinals losing out on a promising star might push the team to rise above the net. Young guns are not a new thing for the Cardinals as they have ranked well in the previous seasons. However, do they have what it takes to face the experienced teams in the league?
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Lady Altas
Previous Standing: 6th seed
The Lady Altas had a challenging Season 99, struggling to replicate their strong Season 98 run. Despite several new additions, Perpetual bowed out of Final Four contention with a 5-4 record, settling for 6th place.
Major Losses: Mary Rose Dapol, Razel Aldea, and Jhasmine Sapin
Numerous players in Perpetual’s lineup have exhausted their playing years leaving big shoes to fill. Former MVP Mary Rose Dapol’s absence along with other seasoned members will surely challenge the young team to step up.
Key Additions: Jemalyn Menor, Geraldine Palacio, Jazhryll Loraine Lagmay, and Monica Mariano
The arrival of NCAA Juniors’ Champion and Finals MVP Jemalyn Menor breathes hope into Perpetual’s dreams of redemption. Adding depth is Jazhryll Loraine Lagmay among other rookies who showed glimpses of her potential during the 2024 Shakey's Super League Pre-season Championship.
Prediction: 5th seed
With these major roster changes, the Lady Altas will need to find their footing quickly in the upcoming season. Despite a rough showing in the pre-season, the promising newcomers and leadership of Season 98 Rookie of the Year Shaila Omipon signals great potential for the Perpetual Squad.
San Beda University (SBU) Lady Red Spikers
Previous Standing: 7th seed
The Lady Red Spikers displayed a valiant effort during Season 99 with a 3-5 win-loss record. Unfortunately, they have fallen short of a final four appearance again, quelling any hopes to break their 50-year title drought in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.
No major losses or additions
Prediction: 6th seed
The rebuilding of the Lady Spikers under Coach Edgar Barroga has allowed them to make improvements one step at a time. In addition, the rise of superstar rookie Angel Habacon and the promising performance of Reyann Cañete in the Beach Volleyball Tournament is a sign of a brighter future for the ladies from Mendiola.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags
Previous Standing: 8th seed
The most decorated women’s volleyball squad, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags have become a shadow of its former glory, finishing lower than their Season 98 ranking. Despite integrating new faces and the addition of former Lady Warrior Von Dimaculangan, the Recto Squad achieved an underwhelming 2-6 record.
No major losses or additions
Prediction: 8th seed
The Recto Squad has been in the rebuilding phase for several seasons; however, everything cannot change in just one season. Restoring the glory of this once feared NCAA squad will be met with fanfare, yet a Final Four appearance may still be a tough hurdle to smash through for now.
Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers
Previous Standing: 9th seed
The Lady Bombers continued to struggle for another Final Four appearance since Season 97, ending with yet another lackluster 1-8 record. They concluded the previous season at 9th seed, a far cry from their earlier success.
Major Loss: May Ruiz
The graduation of May Ruiz marks a shift for the Lady Bombers as the outside spiker also served as their team captain—leaving a large void.
No key additions
Prediction: 9th
JRU went winless in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Tournament and recently finished an underwhelming 3-6 run in the Beach Volleyball tournament. Not much is expected to change with the Lady Bombers this season as it continues to bank on its remaining seasoned players.
Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals
Previous Standing: 10th seed
The Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals have been on a bumpy ride for the past few seasons. The blunder of not capitalizing on their veterans has splintered them deeply causing a slumping performance with a 0-9 record.
Major losses: Cath Almazan and Krizzia Reyes
Cath Almazan and Krizzia Reyes have bid farewell to the Generals’ banner, leaving the young EAC squad with even less firepower after a disappointing Season 99 run.
No key additions
Prediction: 10th seed
Filled with both familiar and fresh faces, the Lady Generals have a mix of veterans like Jen Omapas, Anne Formento, and Jamaica Villena and nine new rookies. This revamp might be their key to redeem themselves in the landmark season of the NCAA or it might leave them stuck in a rut.
The verdict
The NCAA hardcourt will be graced with new, but mostly familiar faces on the court this season. However, off-season adjustments, as shown in their performance in other tournaments, might stir the court in surprising directions.
The Lady Blazers remain comfortable on their throne in an attempt for a rare four-peat with a 41-0 win-loss record to protect. The changes in the tournament might work for the Lady Blazers, but it might also pave the way for rising teams to bounce back and smash their flawless record.
Catch the NCAA Season 100 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on the live telecast on NCAA Philippines’ YouTube and Facebook page.
