By: Aishah Jimenez
The delegates of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran attended the opening ceremony of the NCAA Season 100 Beach Volleyball Tournament. Photo courtesy of NCAA Philippines.
Donning the blue and red uniform, three players from women’s, men’s, and junior’s suited up in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Beach Volleyball Tournament that was held from February 4 to 9 at the Sand Courts of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The former was headlined by sisters Gia and Jogi Maquilang, and Lara Mae Silva, while Christer Lou Ambrocio, John Wayne Araño, and John Derrick Bautista represented the men’s division. Meanwhile, Jasper Afgao, Jessel King Nimo, and Gedrick Gerard Rances filled the latter category.
During the opening day, the Lady Knights and the Knights delivered strong performances to wrap up a 2-0 record, with victories against San Sebastian and Mapua. The Squires, however, fell to 1-1 after being swept by Mapua.
The Silva-Maquilang tandem proved that they were a team to beat with yet no losses until Perpetual handed them one with a three-set stunner, 21-18, 18-21, 15-10, on the third day of eliminations. Similarly, the Altas threatened the Knights with a sweep, making the latter suffer from a three-game skid.
Letran’s junior squad, on the other hand, took revenge by outlasting the Las Piñas-based team in a three-set thriller, 21-19, 18-21, 15-13.
The Lady Knights were able to make a comeback win at the EAC’s expense but were once again wounded by SBU’s drubbing, 21-14, 17-21, 12-15. The Knights continue to collapse after being wiped out by the same teams in straight sets. The Squires secured a two-setter win in San Beda.
Letran’s representatives in women’s and junior’s categories managed to bag feats in their remaining elimination match against Jose Rizal University.
The Lady Knights concluded the round as the second seed, with a 7-2 card, whereas the Squires broke the three-way tie against the JRU and UPHSD, to clamp a semi-finals seat with a 6-3 record. The Knights, however, bow out of the final four contention after settling with a 3-6 standing.
The Letran Lady Knights match victory against the JRU Lady Bombers qualified them past the elimination stage as they bear a twice-to-beat privilege. The Squires, however, need to topple the Brigadiers in two matches to head into the championship, but a loss to the latter will still give them a chance for 2nd place finish in a battle for bronze.