De Salle University and College of Saint Benilde painted the town green after their conquests in the 2023 women’s collegiate volleyball wars.
Phenomenal rookie Angel Canino hogged the spotlight in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 as the sought-after recruit led the Lady Spikers back to the throne.
The high-scoring all-around winger along with veterans Jolina dela Cruz, setter Mars Alba, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, libero Justine Jazareno and another promising freshman Shevana played vital roles in La Salle’s championship run.
Burning with a desire for redemption after suffering a finals whipping from National University the previous season, La Salle made its way back in the Final Four with a strong elimination round showing.
Pitted against a feisty University of Santo Tomas side bannered by a fiery hitter in Eya Laure, the Lady Spikers unleashed the same ferocity that brought the Ramil de Jesus-mentored squad success in the past to set up a championship rematch against the Lady Bulldogs.
The match that saw Canino go up against high school rivals Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon and Ces Robles did not disappoint with both games going into five sets that went La Salle’s way.
Canino made her maiden season extra special after bagging the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player award to become the second neophyte to complete such a feat after Belen last year.
“We are determined to keep the crown. This is our pride. We’ve already started it so we will hold on to this (title),” Canino said after La Salle ended a five-year title drought.
“We’ll show our determination and dedication to once again reach this dream of becoming champions (in the years to come).”
Over at the other side of Taft Avenue, the Lady Blazers picked up from where they left off last year after another perfect championship run in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98.
It wasn’t a smooth run though for the Jerry Yee-mentored squad, which also swept the previous edition in its return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
Saint Benilde faced a huge blow to its campaign when veteran winger and Season 97 MVP Mycah Go went down with a knee injury before the start of the season.
But the absence of Go, who was tapped as an assistant coach while recuperating, only fueled the rest of the Lady Blazers to march on.
Led by eventual finals MVP Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, Zam Nolasco and heady setter Cloanne Mondonedo, Saint Benilde torched the competition by winning all of its nine matches in the elimination round to advance to the finals outright.
Armed with championship experience, the Lady Blazers overpowered Lyceum of the Philippines University in two lopsided straight sets games to complete a season sweep that hiked their amazing overall winning streak to 29 since 2020.
“The competition was tough, everyone improved. I’m happy that we still got it,” Yee said.
Both teams’ success spilled over to post-season tournaments.
La Salle sans Canino, who took a rest after a grueling UAAP campaign, ruled the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals while Saint Benilde lorded it over in the V-League Collegiate Challenge and in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup.
Meanwhile, both the NCAA and UAAP saw the return of men’s volleyball after four seasons.
NU captured its third straight UAAP crown in flawless fashion while University of Perpetual Help System Dalta completed an NCAA three-peat.
Truly, college volleyball is alive.
And the 2023 season belonged to the green and white.
