Romwel Anzures

NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775829131888IMG_4154.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — It took 28 years and back-to-back heartbreaks on the championship stage, but Colegio de San Juan de Letran is finally back on top of NCAA women’s volleyball.</div>The Lady Knights ruled the Season 101 tournament after ending the reign of erstwhile four-time defending champion College of Saint Benilde with a  15-25, 25-17, 26-24, 17-25, 15-12 victory in Game 3 of the Finals on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.It marked Letran’s first title since Season 74 in 1998 — a campaign led by current Lady Knights head coach and two-time NCAA champion Mayeth Carolino.“Sobrang saya. ‘Di ko ma-explain yung saya ko, pero hindi ko ‘to kaya nang mag-isa,” said Carolino, the Season 101 Coach of the Year, as she also credited her lead deputy Aleksi Lähteenmäki of Finland.Leading Letran was Finals MVP Judiel Nitura, who averaged 12.67 points in the best-of-three series, as they finally redeemed themselves after losing to Saint Benilde in the Finals of Seasons 99 and 100. Also stepping up off the bench was Verenicce Colendra, who tallied 23 points on 21 attacks, one block, and one ace, including the hit that put the Lady Knights at match point.However, it was Joralyn Panangin who delivered in the biggest moment of the year.With Letran ahead, 14-12, following a crosscourt attack from Vanessa Sarie and a point from Colendra, Panangin showed nerves of steel by firing a service ace to seal the championship and complete their dream season.Panangin finished with two points, while Sarie scattered 19 markers and added 15 receptions. Also crucial for Letran were Gia Maquilang, who had 17 points, 17 receptions, and 13 digs; Lara Mae Silva, who recorded 33 excellent sets; and Natalie Estreller, who added 22 excellent sets.The victory capped an almost perfect season for Letran, which swept all 13 of its elimination round matches as well as its first 15 assignments, and lost only two of its 20 games overall in Season 101.For Carolino, it was a fitting ending to a campaign that began with a coaching change, as former Letran mentor Oliver Almadro previously held the post before her appointment just months before the season.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775829205136IMG_4304.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.“Hindi nga ako nakakatulog. Talagang mahirap,” said Carolino, who also reflected on her full-circle moment with Letran before expressing optimism that this is only the beginning for her squad.</div>“Nakakatuwa. Nakita ko rin yung mga dati kong teammates dito, pero start pa lang ito,” she said. “Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax. Tuloy-tuloy lang kami, at kung kailangan naming magdagdag ng tao, gagawin po namin yun.”Letran will bid goodbye to three of its core players, as veterans Silva, Estreller, and LJ Isar have already exhausted their playing years. Nitura is also expected to forgo her final playing year to turn professional.<div>No excuses for Yee, CSB</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775829228756IMG_4116.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball runners-up College of Saint Benilde. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.On the other hand, Lady Blazers veteran Zam Nolasco left it all on the floor in what was her final collegiate game.</div>The Season 101 Most Valuable Player (MVP) scored a game-high 27 points, while Clydel Catarig backed her up with 17 markers. Rookie of the Year Cam Bartolome finished with 13, while Kai Lleses added 12.Saint Benilde head coach Jerry Yee offered no excuses for their first Finals series loss in five years, acknowledging Letran as the better team this time.“We know yung inconsistencies namin. It may not look like it, pero ang dami naming struggles,” said Yee. “Mentally, maturity, ang dami naming challenges. Pero ganun talaga.”“Kinapos, at napiga na namin. Ang dami naming weaknesses, and bandang huli, yung inconsistencies nag-show, tapos mas matured na yung kalaban namin. Talagang nag-improve sila,” he added.Aside from Nolasco, team captain and Season 101 Best Setter Chenae Basarte, along with Cristy Ondangan and Fiona Getingan, were also expected to have played their final match for the Lady Blazers.

It took 28 years and back-to-back heartbreaks on the championship stage, but Letran is finally back on top of NCAA women’s volleyball. #NCAASeason101

It took 28 years and back-to-back heartbreaks on the championship stage, but Letran is finally back on top of NCAA women’s volleyball. #NCAASeason101

NCAA: Letran halts Benilde’s reign, ends 28-year women’s volleyball title drought

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NCAA: Letran halts Benilde’s reign, ends 28-year women’s volleyball title drought

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 10, 2026 10:05 PM PHT

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Updated April 10, 2026 10:17 PM PHT

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Volleyball

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NCAA Season 101

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Benilde Lady Blazers

Letran Lady Knights

Letran

Saint Benilde

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