Letran Lady Knights fan favorite Gia Maquilang is preparing for a Benilde Lady Blazers fightback as the two sides head into Game 2 of their NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament finals series this Wednesday, April 8.
After helping the Lady Knights take Game 1 of their third consecutive finals meeting against the Lady Blazers, Maquilang spoke in an exclusive interview with Rebanse about the pressure of facing four-time defending champions—and why embracing it is the only option.
“Parang nakaka-pressure po siya ngayon kaya sana sa next game po, iniisip po namin makuha pero for sure naman yung [mga] taga Benilde hindi po papayag,” she said.
Maquilang was instrumental in the Game 1 victory, contributing 18 points, three service aces, and 17 digs.
“Yung expectation and yung pressure nandoon na po yun pero nandoon nalang po sa amin kung ie-embrace po namin yung pressure saka tanggapin at harapin,” she added.
Letran Is 7–0 When Gia Maquilang Starts
In all 18 games Letran has played in Season 101, the Lady Knights are 7–0 when their third-year star is in the starting lineup.
That number becomes even more significant when you consider the Benilde matchups specifically. In both of their meetings this season, Gia Maquilang started—and delivered. In their regular season matchup last February, she was named the best player of the match after putting up 16 points, 18 digs, and 12 receptions.
More Energy to End the Drought
Letran last won the NCAA title in 1999—the same year current head coach Mayeth Carolino was still playing for the team. That drought is now 26 years long, and the Lady Knights are one series win away from ending it.
Maquilang knows what needs to change heading into Game 2.
“Siguro yung energy. Need pa namin angasan yung energy namin kase parang kanina tina-try namin kunin yung championship [pero] parang naglalaro lang kami,” she explained.
“Parang ang tagal namin uminit, doon pa namin na-realized na ‘tara labanan na natin to’ kase wala tayong magagawa kung hindi tayo kikilos,” she added.
Gia Maquilang and the rest of the Lady Knights will need that energy—and then some. Benilde has not lost back-to-back games once this entire season.
Game 2 of the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball finals tips off on Wednesday, April 8, at 2:30 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
