Benilde stars Gayle Pascual, Mycah Go thankful for recognition

College of Saint Benilde stars Gayle Pascual and Mycah Go. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde stars Gayle Pascual and Mycah Go are grateful for the recognition as they turn their focus to achieving a historic ‘three-peat’ in the next NCAA women’s volleyball season after back-to-back perfect title runs in the past two years.

The two Lady Blazers were honored as the second and third Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Volleyball Players of the Year with Go winning the 2022 plum and Pascual being hailed as this year’s top athlete of the sport last Monday’s awards night.

“We’re very happy because this is rare, and we’re not getting younger so at least we’ve experienced it in our careers,” said Go, who was hailed as NCAA Season 97 MVP and led St. Benilde to its second volleyball title.

In the following season this year, Go wasn’t able to play due to an ACL tear from a tune-up game but Pascual stepped up and kept the Lady Blazers unbeaten en route to a golden repeat.

“This is a rare opportunity for the recognized so we’re happy for this award,” said Pascual, who was at the forefront of Benilde’s offense in Season 98.

Four months into her recovery, Go bared that she continues to work her way for her return but nothing is certain yet.

“I need to focus on my recovery. I can’t say what will happen next so I have to work out before knowing the next step in my career,” said Go, who is hoping to come back in the NCAA volleyball season next year. “Every month I can see my progress and I will keep on pushing myself.”

Pascual bared that it could be her final playing year in 2024 and the rest of the Lady Blazers are not stopping from grinding in the offseason as they continue to wait for Go’s return.

“We’re still waiting for [Mycah] but at the same time we continue to train and do our part as players of Benilde,” she said in Filipino.