Published October 4, 2025 6:37pm
Updated October 4, 2025 6:37pm
NCAA Season 101. October 4, 2025. Benilde Blazers. (Photo: Thomas Villanueva)
For Justine Sanchez and the rest of the Benilde Blazers, their fresh buzz cuts aren’t just about style as it also symbolizes their unity on and off the court.
The Blazers unveiled their fresh look on Saturday, just three days removed from a stinging 96-85 opening-day defeat to San Beda University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This time, though, the change in vibe was evident as Benilde carved out a 74-63 triumph over Emilio Aguinaldo College to notch its first win in a tough Group B bracket.
“Si Cap[tain] Gab (Cometa), sabi niya ‘Magpapakalbo ako bukas’ after namin kumain kahapon, nag-team meeting kasi kami,” Sanchez revealed.
“Napagkasunduan lang namin na ‘Oh sige, kalbo na tayong lahat’ para one page kami.”
It did wonders for last year’s runners-up with Sanchez leading the charge with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal while reigning MVP Allen Liwag churned out 14 markers, seven boards, three dimes, three blocks, and one steal.
Cometa, who spearheaded the buzz-cut move, tallied nine markers, two assists, and two rebounds to help the Blazers seize their breakthrough win.
“Masaya siya (Head coach Charles Tiu) kasi akala niya hindi lahat susunod. Akala niya may mag-iiba sa amin na may buhok pa rin,” Sanchez added.
“Thankful siya. Ang sabi pa nga niya sa VIber [group] namin, ‘I’m impressed’.
It isn’t the first time an NCAA team sported buzz cuts or went bald.
Last season, Mapua University also had a similar look after absorbing an opening-day loss to, incidentally, Benilde. The Cardinals then went on winning the title to quench a 33-year title drought.
In the past, Colegio de San Juan de Letran is also known for sporting bald looks for both the Knights and Squires squads.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
