When volleyball began to gain prominence in the country, the V-League became the primary catalyst for its growth, as the tournament focused on collegiate teams from different leagues across the nation.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Lyceum of the Philippines University were the league's pioneers from the NCAA. However, arguably, it was the UAAP that garnered a larger following, with teams such as the University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University, and more recently, Ateneo de Manila University.
The two leagues also diverged, with the UAAP gaining more traction in broadcasting, especially in the early 2000s.
Nonetheless, Sports Vision recognizes that NCAA squads can still compete with UAAP teams, given ample exposure and the right venue.
The second season of the league's revival, "where it all began," witnessed reigning back-to-back NCAA champions College of Saint Benilde and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA not only going head-to-head but also excelling.
Perpetual, in particular, moved one win away from their first-ever Finals appearance in the tournament after a convincing sweep of Far Eastern University, with scores of 25-21, 28-26, and 26-24. No one exemplified this composure better than setter Jhasmine Sapin.
Before the game, Sapin recognized the need for a different approach to secure a reversal against the previously unbeaten Lady Tamaraws. "We just need to hasten the pace. I have powerful wing hitters and middle attackers; they can really hit hard. So, the problem lies with us, the setters," she admitted.
"And when we came here, I told myself that losing is not an option because in our last game, we performed poorly against Benilde. So, we really have to be on the same page inside the court."
The incessant comparisons between the two rival collegiate leagues had left a bitter taste among the NCAA squads. However, with the way the Lady Altas (and the Lady Blazers) played in the V-League, they had something to prove.
"We saw some online comments bashing us and saying we played like elementary students. We just proved them wrong with how we played and won today," Sapin emphasized.
With the same motivation, the Lady Altas are aiming for greater heights, and a win in Game 2 on Friday would bring them a step closer.
