NCAA Season 101: CSB gives Laniog no reason to leave after lifting men's volleyball title

College of Saint Benilde Blazing Spikers brought back the NCAA men's volleyball title to Taft after nearly a decade by overcoming Mapua Cardinals in their best-of-three finals series, 2-1. (Photo: NCAA)

College of Saint Benilde (CSB) head coach Arnold Laniog had already been weighing the possibility of stepping away from the program by the end of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101.

Balancing his long-standing ties with CSB and other commitments, Laniog set a condition that could define his future with the team.

“Ang tagal ko na sa Benilde and napag-isipan kong magpahinga na muna. But sabi ko, the only reason to stay is ‘pag nag-champion,” said Laniog during the awarding ceremony.

The Blazing Spikers made sure that decision was no longer his to make.

CSB swept Mapua University, 25-23, 25-18, 25-21, in Game 3 of their championship showdown at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Friday, April 10, to complete a come-from-behind triumph after losing the opening match and end a nine-year title drought.

Laniog had also steered the Taft-based squad to its first-ever men's volleyball crown in Season 92 back in 2017, nearly two decades after joining the NCAA in 1998.

“Simula season na ‘to, my mindset [is] magpahinga muna ko dahil naman I have different teams, ‘yung club teams, doon na muna mag-focus,” said Laniog, who was named Coach of the Year.

“But my heart says, mag-stay ako. The only reason para mag-stay is to get the championship. So itong grupo na ‘to, hinarap nila ‘yung challenge ko na ‘pag nakuha, no choice ako,” he added.

The journey, however, was far from smooth.

CSB failed to reach the Final Four in Seasons 98 and 99, struggling to regain its footing after NCAA's pandemic hiatus.

In the league's centennial season last year, the Blazers showed promise by topping the elimination round, but squandered their twice-to-beat advantage against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the semifinals before salvaging the bronze medal.

Despite the setbacks, Laniog never wavered in his belief that the rebuild would eventually pay off.

“Very fulfilling talaga kasi after pandemic, ‘yung volleyball program ng Benilde nag-back to zero. Then going to first season ng pandemic, pang-number seven kami so tiyaga din lang,” he said in a separate interview, as reported by GMA Sports.

That patience culminated this season, where a young core matured into a title-winning unit.

“This time, apat ‘yung sophomores ko and buti nag-level up sila [Reymark] Betco, [Martin] Baldado, and [Dexter] Graniada, and Rocky Motol. Very satisfying dahil alam mong nanggaling sa baba tapos dahan-dahang naiakyat,” said Laniog.

Betco led the youthful surge in the biggest stage. Coming off a 33-point performance in Game 2 to force a decider, he fired 17 points in Game 3 en route to clinching the Finals Most Valuable Player honors. Betco added it to his Best Opposite Spiker award earlier in the season.

First Best Outside Hitter awardee Motol, who was named Rookie of the Year and MVP in Season 100, contributed 15 markers and 15 receptions. Graniada added seven points in support, while Baldado steadied the backrow with consistent defensive work that allowed CSB to sustain pressure throughout the match.

By the final whistle, Laniog's ultimatum had turned into a collective statement. CSB didn't just win a championship but also answered their coach's challenge the only way possible: ensuring he stays.