Benilde Lady Blazers rookie Cam Bartolome has grown a lot during the season, and that growth was on full display in the Lady Blazers’ finals-clinching win over the Perpetual Help Lady Altas last week. That win put Benilde in position to finish the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament with more gold—and a historic fifth straight title.
After the match, the 18-year-old told the media that her maturity has come a long way from her high school days, and it has helped her excel for Benilde.
“Siguro ngayon ‘yung maturity, saka ‘yung mautak na laro, ‘yun siguro ‘yung nag-improve sa akin ngayon,” said Bartolome, who finished that match against Perpetual with 22 points built on 16 attacks, to go along with 3 blocks and 3 aces.
Cam Bartolome Has Her Eyes on the Ultimate Prize
With Benilde now just two wins away from accomplishing that five-peat, the former two-time Palarong Pambansa champion knows exactly what she and her teammates will have to do.
“Double time pa siguro sa effort, saka pagtatrabahuhan ko pa para makuha ‘yun,” she added.
Cam Bartolome also knows the finals will be a battle of wills—and that whoever shows more mental fortitude could very well end up as champions.
“Sa laro namin, challenge kung patatagan ng lakas ng loob, saka ng focus sa court, saka ‘yung mindset siguro ganun, patatagan,” Bartolome further stated.
Ready for Letran
While Cam Bartolome and the rest of the Lady Blazers didn’t know they’d be facing the Letran Lady Knights when they punched their finals ticket, the rookie seemed to have an inkling they’d face their rivals again for all the marbles.
“Lumalaban ‘yung Letran. Kita naman sa past game namin na lumalaban talaga sila. Although nung first set lumalaban naman kami, parang nawala kami so ‘yun ‘yung iwowork on namin para sa finals,” Bartolome noted of Benilde’s elims loss to Letran.
But as Bartolome correctly noted, Benilde has had more than enough time to prepare for this rematch. And Game 1 is scheduled on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Best believe a more mature Cam Bartolome will be ready.
