Key losses: Angelika Mondejar, Camill Avila
Key holdovers: Jade Gentapa, Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo
Season 98 record: Champion (9-0 in elimination round)
The previous three champion schools in the NCAA women's volleyball tournament completed a rare feat only achieved by a few: three consecutive titles.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos built a dynasty in the early 2000s, ruling the throne from 2006 to 2011 before University of Perpetual Help System DALTA reigned supreme in the next three seasons from 2012 to 2014.
Arellano University halted that streak by capturing the title in 2015 followed by Benilde's unlikely championship run in 2016. The Lady Chiefs then emerged victorious in the next three editions to mount a three-peat of their own.
The Lady Blazers are on track to follow suit after seizing back-to-back crowns in Seasons 97 and 98, and the impending Season 99 showcase is for them to lose.
After all, the Taft crew is set to welcome back former Most Valuable Player Mycah Go, who sat out last season due to multiple injuries she suffered months before Season 98.
Go, who was a crucial piece in their Season 97 title run, will reinforce an already-stacked roster that parades veteran and team captain Jade Gentapa alongside reigning Best Opposite Spiker Gayle Pascual as the deadly trio is once again poised to lead the Jerry Yee-helmed squad.
Pascual was last season's second best scorer behind MVP Mary Rhose Dapol, churning out 148 points anchored on 129 attacks, 14 blocks, and five aces while the 5-foot-8 Gentapa poured in 124 markers.
The troika, however, won't be having a lack of manpower support.
Still leading the playmaking is another veteran setter in Cloanne Mondoñedo, who had an impressive 5.45 average sets per frame in Season 98.
The frontcourt trio of Michelle Gamit, Cristy Odangan, and Zamantha Nolasco will lay out the net defense while providing support on offense are Wielyn Estoque, Jessa Dorog, and Corrine Apostol.
Season 99 will also see the debut of prized rookie Clydel Catarig, who had shown promise during the team's campaign in the PNVF Champions League last February.
Completing the three-peat-seeking squad are Chenae Basarte, Kim Estenzo, Fiona Getigan, Sophia Badion, and Fionna Inocentes.
While the team looked formidable still, the Lady Blazers are not pressuring themselves as they still like to take everything one step at a time.
"Ang gusto lang po namin ay magtrabaho, ‘yun lang din ‘yung sinasabi ni coach. Hindi na po muna namin iniisip 'yung championship or 'yung three-peat," said Gentapa.
"Yes gusto namin maabot po 'yon pero mas mahalaga if mapanalo muna namin 'yung bawat game."
(We just want to work, that's what coach told us. We do not want to think about the championship yet or the three-peat. Yes, we want to reach that but what's more important is for us to win first each game.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
