Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers
The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, a private Catholic institution in Manila, Philippines, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[1] The Blazers denote the men's varsity squads, while the Lady Blazers represent the women's teams, primarily competing in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and track and field as part of the NCAA's senior division.[2] Established as the official athletics program of the college since its full NCAA membership in 1998, the Blazers and Lady Blazers have built a reputation for competitive excellence, particularly in volleyball, where they have achieved multiple national titles.[1] The Lady Blazers women's volleyball team stands out as one of the most dominant programs in Philippine collegiate sports, securing a historic four-peat championship in NCAA Season 100 (2024–2025) by sweeping the Letran Lady Knights 3–0 in the finals on June 11, 2025, with standout performances from MVP Mycah Go.[3] This victory capped an undefeated finals run and extended their streak of three prior consecutive titles from Seasons 97 to 99.[4] On the men's side, the Blazers basketball team has been a perennial contender in NCAA Season 101 (2025–2026), posting key victories such as a 70–67 upset over Lyceum of the Philippines University on October 28, 2025, and a 82–64 win against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on an earlier date in the season, as they pursue redemption following a runner-up finish in Season 98.[5] The men's volleyball team also earned recognition in Season 100, with Rocky Motol named MVP, though they did not win the title (won by Arellano University).[4] Beyond campus, both squads have extended their reach into professional leagues like the V-League, where in September 2025, they each survived five-set thrillers to advance in the Collegiate Challenge Conference.[6] These achievements underscore the program's emphasis on discipline, unity, and community support, embodied in the "Animo Benilde" spirit.[7]History
Founding and NCAA Entry
The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB), founded in 1988 as a night school for working students within the Lasallian educational network, expanded its offerings to include athletic programs as part of its holistic formation approach under the Brothers of the Christian Schools. As a member of De La Salle Philippines (DLSP), which oversees 16 Lasallian institutions across the country, CSB established its senior varsity teams—the Benilde Blazers for men's sports and Lady Blazers for women's—in the mid-1990s to foster student-athlete development and integrate sports into the Lasallian tradition of faith, service, and excellence. These teams initially competed in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), building a foundation through regional competitions that drew talent from the broader Lasallian community.[8][9] In March 1998, the NCAA approved CSB's application, allowing the Blazers to enter as a probationary (guest) team for Season 74 (1998–99), alongside the junior program from affiliated La Salle Green Hills. This marked the senior teams' integration into the premier collegiate athletic league, where they competed under restrictions typical for new entrants, such as limited eligibility for certain awards. Despite these early hurdles, including adapting to the league's intensity and establishing a competitive roster, the Blazers demonstrated rapid progress; in just their third season, they captured the men's basketball title in Season 76 (2000–2001), defeating the San Sebastian Stags in a finals sweep and becoming the fastest expansion team to win an NCAA championship. The achievement highlighted CSB's quick adaptation and investment in coaching and recruitment within the Lasallian pipeline, supported by the junior affiliation with La Salle Green Hills Greenies that provided a talent pathway.[10][9][11] The Blazers achieved full NCAA membership by Season 81 (2005–06), solidifying their status and enabling broader participation across sports. That season, they clinched the league's first general championship, encompassing multiple disciplines and underscoring their growth from probationary challengers to established contenders. This partnership with junior affiliates, such as the La Salle Green Hills Greenies, provided a seamless talent pathway that supported the senior teams' early successes.[12]Name Origin and Evolution
The "Blazers" moniker for the athletic teams of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a shortened form of "Trailblazers," symbolizing the institution's pioneering spirit in innovative education and sports programs. This identity reflects the college's DNA as game changers who forge new paths to uplift lives, particularly for the disadvantaged, a ethos established when the teams joined the NCAA in 1998.[13] The team's colors originally featured green, black, and white, with black serving as a primary shade in earlier uniforms to distinguish the Blazers from other Lasallian squads. Over time, the palette evolved to emphasize green and white more prominently, aligning with the school's heritage and allowing for a stronger visual tie to its roots.[14] Uniform updates have further reinforced institutional affiliations, such as the incorporation of "LSGH" lettering on the juniors' jerseys beginning in NCAA Season 89 (2013–14) to highlight the partnership with La Salle Green Hills. The mascot "Blazie" was introduced in 2006–07 during the Blazers' hosting of NCAA Season 82, embodying the team's dynamic energy.Junior Division Partnerships
Affiliation with La Salle Green Hills Greenies
The College of Saint Benilde (CSB) established its partnership with La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) in NCAA Season 74 (1998–99), fielding the LSGH Greenies as the official juniors counterpart to the senior Blazers across various sports.[15] This affiliation followed five years of negotiations and marked LSGH's return to the NCAA after a 17-year absence in minor leagues, allowing CSB to compete in the juniors division without fielding its own high school team.[15] The collaboration has proven successful, with the Benilde–LSGH Greenies capturing four NCAA juniors general championships during Seasons 79 (2003–04), 80 (2004–05), 83 (2007–08), and 84 (2008–09).[16] These victories highlight the program's strength in multiple sports, including basketball, volleyball, and track and field, where the Greenies amassed points to secure overall supremacy in those academic years.[16] The partnership remains active, with the Benilde–LSGH Greenies advancing to the finals of the NCAA Season 100 (2024–25) juniors basketball tournament, though they fell to the Perpetual Junior Altas.[17] Uniform and color alignments between the Blazers and Greenies emphasize their shared identity within the Lasallian network, featuring green, white, and black schemes. Beginning with NCAA Season 86 (2020–21), the Blazers adopted green as their primary uniform color, further synchronizing aesthetics with the Greenies' longstanding green-dominant kits.[18] The partnership facilitates a robust talent development pipeline, enabling top performers from LSGH to seamlessly transition to the CSB senior teams. Notable examples include forward Mark De Guzman, who played for the Greenies before contributing to the Blazers' NCAA seniors campaigns, and guard Thomas Torres, whose juniors success at LSGH propelled him to All-Tournament honors in college.[19] This progression strengthens CSB's competitiveness and embodies the broader benefits of the Lasallian educational network in nurturing athletic excellence.[15]Affiliation with De La Salle Zobel in WNCAA
The De La Salle Zobel School (DLSZ) has served as the junior affiliate for the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) in the Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) since 1993, fielding teams to represent CSB in the juniors' division for girls' sports. This partnership allows DLSZ's Lady Junior Archers to compete under the Benilde banner, particularly in basketball, filling the gap left by the NCAA's lack of women's programs at the time.[20] Under this affiliation, the DLSZ Lady Junior Archers basketball team secured nine junior division titles between 1993 and 2004, including a dominant streak from 1993 to 2000 and a return to the top in 2004. These successes contributed to multiple overall WNCAA juniors general championships for CSB, establishing the partnership as a cornerstone of the Lady Blazers' youth development system.[20] The partnership continues, with DLSZ achieving the WNCAA taekwondo championship in 2025.[21] The arrangement has been instrumental in nurturing female athletes, many of whom progress to the CSB Lady Blazers senior team, creating a seamless pipeline for talent in women's basketball and other sports. DLSZ teams adopt CSB's green-and-white uniforms and branding during WNCAA events, reinforcing the shared Lasallian identity and institutional support.[20]Rivalries and Traditions
Saint Benilde - San Sebastian Rivalry
The rivalry between the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers and the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags traces its origins to the early 2000s, shortly after Benilde joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1998. It intensified during the 2000-01 season (NCAA Season 76), when Benilde, in just their second year in the league, faced San Sebastian in the finals and swept the series 2-0, clinching their first-ever NCAA men's basketball championship with a 74-61 victory in Game 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. This triumph marked Benilde as the fastest team to win a title after joining the league.[11][22][23] Key games have underscored the rivalry's intensity, often featuring dramatic finishes and heightened emotions. Beyond the 2000 finals, notable encounters include Benilde's 83-78 elimination win over San Sebastian in the 2022 NCAA Season 98 semifinals, ending a 20-year Final Four drought for the Blazers and preventing the Stags from advancing. In 2024, Benilde edged San Sebastian 96-94 in overtime during Season 100, with Jhomel Ancheta's game-winning basket highlighting the thriller. These moments have contributed to the rivalry's reputation for passion, drawing large crowds and embodying the competitive spirit of Manila-based NCAA schools.[24][25][26] The rivalry extends beyond basketball into multiple sports, maintaining ongoing tension through the 2020s. In volleyball, Benilde has held a clear edge in recent encounters, particularly in 2025. The Benilde Blazers men's team swept the San Sebastian Stags 3-0 in NCAA Season 100, showcasing dominant play early in the tournament. Similarly, the Lady Blazers women's team dispatched the Lady Stags in straight sets during the same season's Round 2 and overwhelmed them 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 in the October 2025 Shakey's Super League Preseason Unity Cup. Culturally, the matchup draws from the broader intensity of NCAA competitions among nearby institutions, often likened to derivatives of historic Manila derbies like the Battle of Intramuros, though it stands distinctly for its cross-sport rivalry and fan fervor.[27][28]| Sport | Key Rivalry Matches (Up to 2025) | Benilde Record vs. San Sebastian |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Basketball | 2000-01 Finals (Benilde win, 2-0); 2022 Semifinals (Benilde 83-78); 2024 OT (Benilde 96-94); 2025 Rout (Benilde 82-64) | Benilde leads recent head-to-head (e.g., 4 wins in last 6 games as of Oct 2025)[29][30] |
| Men's Volleyball | 2025 NCAA Season 100 (Benilde sweep, 3-0) | Benilde 1-0 in 2025 NCAA[31] |
| Women's Volleyball | 2025 NCAA Season 100 Round 2 (Benilde straight sets); 2025 Shakey's SSL (Benilde 3-0) | Benilde dominant (2-0 in 2025 key matches)[28] |