The Letran Lady Knights surrenders their winning streak after falling to CSB with the Knights stunning their opponent. Photo courtesy of Eduardo Nollora Jr. & Yvonne Altaire Solon of The LANCE.
Men’s Division
The Letran Knights prevailed over the Benilde Blazers with a reverse sweep, 26-28, 19-25, 25-21, 25-23, and 15-11, for their third win in the season at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, yesterday.
Steven Sta. Maria served up a game-high 26 points on 24 attacks, and two aces, followed by Vince Himzon that carved out 21 points on 20 spikes.
Benilde was already up two sets to none and poised to place the finishing touches to the contest. However, Sta. Maria led the comeback for the Knights through an onslaught of offense, stifling the play of their adversaries that resulted in errors enroute to claiming the set, 25-21.
Reiven Valera and Amel Aguilar stepped up their attacks and matched Letran's intensity, Sta. Maria fought through their runs along with Bembem Bautista to force a decider, 25-23.
Both squads went back and forth through the final frame, momentum shifted to Coach Esquibel's front after Sta. Maria sent a spike down the line that Jacob Herrera failed to receive, 8-5.
Bautista, Himzon, and Sta. Maria left the Benilde in the dust as they proceeded to pick apart their opponents to seal the deal, 15-11.
James Marasigan churned in 22 points on 19 spikes, while Herrera finished with 19 points for their respective team.
Women’s Division
The Letran Lady Knights yielded to the Benilde Lady Blazers, 18-25, 21-25, 19-25, in the NCAA Season 99 Women’s Volleyball tournament.
Gia Maquilang poured in a team-high nine points, followed by Nizelle Martin with eight points, four excellent digs, and two blocks.
Martin stood out as she prevailed over a Michelle Gamit block attempt and gained momentum for the Lady Knights’ head start, followed by a cross-court attack by Maquilang.
Gamit and Zamantha Nolasco of the Lady Blazers paved the way for their team, taking advantage of the lack of communication and holes in Letran’s defense with their strategic attacks, 18-25.
Judiel Nitura's aggressiveness and Martin's down-the-line attack allowed them to take the advantage, forcing Benilde to step up their game.
Gayle Pascual and Wielyn Estoque of the Lady Blazers tore through the Intramuros-based squad's, halting their efforts to claim the set, 21-25.
Lea Tapang and Angelique Ledesma tried to force out a way for their team to come back into the game, but the defending champions proved to be too hot to handle as they sealed the game with a sweep, 19-25.
Estoque, hailed as the best player of the match, racked up 11 points on 11 attacks. Gayle Pascual also contributed 12 points and eight excellent digs.
The Lady Knights look to get back to the win column while the Knights aim to continue their winning ways against Mapua this coming April 26, Friday.