Latest news with #Intramuros-based
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Freighanne Garcia erupts for 38 points to break NCAA scoring record, vows Mapua will be better
By JUSTIN KENNETH CARANDANG,GMA Integrated News It may not have been the ending they wanted for the season but Mapua University's Freighanne Garcia gave the Lady Cardinals something positive to build on. The Intramuros-based crew fell to Arellano University, 27-25, 22-25, 31-29, 20-25, 15-9, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball battle for bronze to finish fourth in the tournament, but Garcia set a new league record as she erupted for 38 points. Garcia's 38 points eclipsed the previous record registered by Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Vanessa Sarie, who scored 37 points during the Lady Knights' second round match also against Arellano. The second-year outside hitter's record-breaking performance was built on 37 attacks and one block. Apparently, Garcia was not aware about her performance last Sunday. "Hindi ko in-expect sobra," Garcia told GMA News Online. "Naglaro lang ako nang sobrang saya talaga, ang gaan lang ng feeling." "Gusto ko talaga manalo pero we fell short. Ganun talaga, may next season pa para bumawi." [I really didn't expect it. I just played with joy and the feeling was so light... I really wanted to win but we fell short. But that's the way it goes, we have next season to bounce back.] While Garcia credits her teammates for her explosive performance, the spiker from Batangas said they will just do better next season. "Siguro mas pagbutihan pa namin next season. No expectations pero we'll play well and mas magsama-sama pa kami," she added. [I guess we just have to do better next season. No expectations, but we'll play well and we'll come together.] Before playing for Mapua, Garcia was with the University of the East high school before the pandemic hit. She started training for volleyball in De La Salle Lipa before moving to Manila. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Benilde, Letran face off anew for NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball crown
NCAA De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran are back in the NCAA women's volleyball finals stage as both teams eye the centennial season title. The Lady Blazers hope to take home the crown for the fourth straight season despite experiencing a relatively challenging season. In the past three seasons that Benilde won the title, the Taft-based squad never lost a single game en route to the title. This season, however, the Lady Blazers' 43-game winning streak was cut by none other than Letran in the first round. Benilde also fell to Mapua University at the end of the first round. However, the Lady Blazers seemed to have returned to their championship form just in time as they swept the second round and dispatched Mapua University in the Final Four. For head coach Onyok Getigan, this will be a different season for them, especially with the likes of Mich Gamit, Gayle Pascual, and Cloanne Mondoñedo not playing for Benilde anymore. However, veteran Mycah Go and players like Zam Nolasco, Wielyn Estoque, and Chenae Basarte are ready to dance in the finals again. "Kung titingnan mo, wala na mga senior namin last time, malaking factor 'yun. Ang maganda ngayon, madaling mag-step up yung mga natira, pati rookies," Getigan said. The Lady Knights, meanwhile, eye to rewrite history. In Season 99, Letran was swept by Benilde in the finals. Now, they have a chance to exact revenge against their tormentors. Letran head coach Oliver Almadro, however, said they have to be "better than our best" in facing a formidable team like Benilde. "As I'm always saying, Benilde is a strong team. They're well-coached, they have a deep bench, we really have to find a way with what we have and somehow [have] a flawless game," Almadro said. "'Yung skills and stats mas malalaki sila eh. Panghahawakan namin 'yung last game and last year to fuel us to give the best performance na kailangan namin kasi results will take care of itself." Aside from veteran libero Lara Silva and last year's top freshman Gia Maquilang, the Intramuros-based crew now has Vanessa Sarie who recently broke the NCAA scoring record with her 37-point output against Arellano University in the second round. Benilde and Letran will commence their best-of-three finals series on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
06-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran topples Benilde, returns to NCAA men's volleyball finals after 15 seasons
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran toppled twice-to-beat De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-20, in the do-or-die match of the NCAA men's volleyball Final Four to return to the finals after 15 seasons. The Knights last appeared in the finals in Season 85 in 2009 when they completed a three-peat. After two tight sets, the Intramuros-based squad dominated the Blazers, leading as much as 21-9 in the third set before claiming the said frame. In the third set alone, the Knights had 14 attacks against Benilde's nine points, while the former only had four errors against the latter's seven. In the fourth set, Letran had an early 8-3 lead before Benilde caught up, 11-9. The Blazers inched closer, 18-17, but Vince Himzon ignited Letran's late rally to claim the victory. Rocky Roy Motol's attack went outside to hand Letran a three-point advantage but a Jacob Herrera attack gave a glimmer of hope for Benilde. Bembem Bautista then scored back-to-back for Letran but a running attack from John Austero stopped the bleeding for Benilde. Bautista then closed the match for Letran as he made the Knights' final three points en route to his 27-point eruption. "Very overwhelming 'yung nangyari kasi 'yung kalaban natin talagang dinominate nila ang first and second round. Kami bilang challenger, sabi ko sa mga bata, hindi dapat matapos ang Season 100 nang wala tayong napatunayan," Letran head coach Brian Esquibel said in the broadcast. Bautista had 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Vince Himzon had 18 points as the Knights secured the first finals spot. Mike Balbacal and Raymark Betco had 15 points apiece, while Motol had 13 points, with James Marasigan adding 10 points for the Blazers. Letran will face the winner of the do-or-die match between the twice-to-beat Mapua Cardinals and the Arellano Chiefs. Game 1 of the finals will be on Sunday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
30-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
LPU survives Benilde in five-setter to wrap season on high note
NCAA Lyceum of the Philippines University survived league-leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-20, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 17-15, to wrap its campaign in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. The two teams were tied at 12 in the fifth set before an unsuccessful block touch challenge and an attack error from LPU handed the Blazers the match point. Raymark Betco's service, however, went out, then Jun Edang scored back-to-back to hand LPU a 15-14 lead. Kevin Ondevilla then tied the set anew for the Blazers, but it was Edang who eventually sealed the victory for the Pirates. Graduating Kian Moral, meanwhile, had 20 digs and 20 receptions. Edang had 29 points from 27 attacks and two blocks, while Isaiah Chrys Santos had 18 points as the Intramuros-based crew finished the season on a high note and improved their record to 3-15. Dexter Granadia and James Harold Marasigan led the Taft-based squad with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as they still finished on top with 14 wins and four losses. Rocky Motol and Mike Balbacal saw limited action in preparation for their Final Four match, while Jacob Agassi Herrera was temporarily sidelined due to a knee issue. Christian Aguilar, meanwhile, was converted to libero for today's game due to shoulder issues. Benilde, who earned a twice-to-beat bonus as the no. 1 team, will take on Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Final Four on Sunday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
