Arellano University was the ones to defeat in the NCAA volleyball tournament for the longest period of time.

But the College of Saint Benilde ended the Lady Chiefs’ three-year reign on Friday, winning all 11 games in Season 97 en route to a season win as the championship returned to Taft.

And CSB head coach Jerry Yee is pleased that his newly crowned champions have helped to raise the league’s standard of play.

“As it should be, ganon naman lahat eh, kahit si Arellano pa ‘yan, kahit si San Sebastian pa ‘yan. Sila rin naman may targets on their back, so ‘yung mga other programs nag-iimprove talaga eh,” Yee remarked after their historic win in San Juan.

“JRU andyan, Mapua andyan so hindi naman pwedeng hindi kami aware about that. Sige lang, trabaho lang kami. Maganda ‘yun so better ‘yung mga matches.”

Despite winning the season, Yee said that they were not without hurdles, as they had to practice together all manner in Pangasinan to be ready for the season in the thick of the epidemic.

CSB coach Jerry Yee glad to see Lady Blazers raise level of competition in NCAA

“Ang hirap eh, pandemic, nakakulong tayo and the first news na marinig mo na pwede nang lumabas or pwede ng whatever, sobrang excited natin. We met sometimes sa Pangasinan pa eh,” Yee continued.

Despite a superb pool of athletes, Yee said he had no idea they might complete off a season sweep, but he has always trusted in his charges.

“Mahirap na tanong ‘yan pero tiwala ako sa girls kasi masipag ‘yung girls and then, kita ko ‘yung mga abilities nila,” the senior instructor explained.

“Kasama ko na ‘yan ng matagal na, so magkakilala na kami. I don’t know, hindi pero yes,” says the senior instructor.