A season of excellence culminated in celebration as the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) community gathered for Blazed to Victory, the Blazers’ Thanksgiving Gala on July 8 at the Benilde Sports and Dormitory Complex. The event commemorated the individuals behind Benilde’s 825-point campaign in NCAA Season 101, which secured the College’s sixth NCAA General Championship and marked its return to the top for the first time since Season 90.
The Benildean Animo spirit filled the venue as the celebration recognized the student-athletes, coaches, and staff whose collective excellence brought the General Championship back to Benilde after a long journey to the NCAA top standing.
Opening the celebration, Chancellor Benhur Ong welcomed the Benildean community and expressed his gratitude to everyone who played a role in the Blazers’ championship journey. He emphasized that the General Championship was a collective achievement, saying, “[The] General Championship reminds us that greatness is never built by one team alone; it is built by [a] community that chooses every single day to compete for one another.” His remarks set the tone for an evening dedicated to honoring the excellence that defined the Blazers' NCAA Season 101 campaign.
Behind every medal, match, and milestone was a season built on consistency and a shared commitment to representing Benilde with excellence. Reflecting on what contributed to the College’s General Championship, taekwondo athlete Lycah Segura credited the hard work and dedication of every Benildean athlete throughout the season. She also acknowledged the institution’s role in the team’s success, saying, “It is also because of the support of the school.”
Beyond reflecting on the journey to the General Championship, rookie student-athletes also shared messages they hoped to leave with the Benildean community.
Fresh off being named Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Benildean Torpedoes standout Rio Balbuena expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support shown by the community throughout the season. Looking ahead, she hoped the community would continue supporting the team as they strive to bring more pride and honor to the College in the coming seasons.
Meanwhile, Rookie of the Year Zachi Chua of the Blazing Lady Paddlers encouraged fellow Benildeans to continue pursuing their aspirations, saying, “Keep reaching [for] your dreams.” Her message reflected the determination that carried Benilde throughout the season, reminding the community that every achievement begins with the courage to chase one’s goals.
As the celebration looked back on the NCAA Season 101 campaign, women’s tennis MVP Claire Miraflor reflected on what the General Championship meant to her. She described the achievement as “very fulfilling,” noting that reclaiming the title after a long pause made the victory even more meaningful. Miraflor added that celebrating the milestone alongside her fellow student-athletes made the evening more memorable, as they shared the excitement of bringing the title back to the College.
Sharing the same sentiment, Benilde Blazers men’s volleyball finals MVP Reymark Betco said the entire Benilde sports community was genuinely pleased, believing that the achievement was earned through the perseverance shown by every team in Season 101.
As the Thanksgiving Gala celebrated Benilde’s historic return to the top, it also marked the beginning of another journey. Looking ahead to NCAA Season 102, Coach Stephen “Pen” Fernandez, Director of the Center for Sports Development, acknowledged the challenge of defending the General Championship when asked about the preparations and the possibility of a back-to-back title run.
“We want to achieve that, but as I said in other interviews, it’s not going to be easy because [winning] a championship is difficult, but retaining one is even tougher,” Fernandez said.
Despite the challenge ahead, Fernandez emphasized that preparing for another title campaign would require a collective effort from the entire Benilde sports community. He added that the College is ready to embrace the challenge of Season 102 and is looking forward to defending its General Championship.
