By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
Letran volleyball program started the centennial season with two wins against the JRU in the Men’s and Women’s division of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Photo courtesy of Kim Yoshi Espiritu / The LANCE.
Men’s Division
The Letran Knights routed Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in three sets, 25-19, 25-15, 25-18, for the third match of the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Volleyball Tournament held at the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Gym earlier today.
Vince Himzon and Bembem Bautista spearheaded Letran’s charge with 13 and 11 points each, built on their combined 46 attacks.
The new and improved Knights paraded stellar combinations early in the first to claim a 7-2 headstart. Team captain John Wayne Araño and season 99 best middle blocker Vince Himzon detonated from the front lines with a flush of quick offense to seal the match opener, 25-19.
Gaining that early momentum, the Intramuros-based squad seemed to enjoy hitting the ball from all over the court — led by Bembem Bautista’s dynamic attacks from the left zone extending to the back row. But an attack error from the opposing Alipan ended the second with a double digit cushion in favor of the Knights, 25-15.
This steady lead was sustained in the third set, allowing Letran to swiftly rally past the creeping defense of their opponents. The bombers had shown glimpses of powerful attacks, however, CSJL’s persistent defense was unshaken.
JRU churned a total of 35 attack points, seeing nine-point offensive contributions from both Paolo Barrientos and Harry Jim Ocay.
Women’s Division
The Letran Lady Knights escaped the JRU Lady Bombers in four sets, 3-1, 28-26, 25-22, 11-25, 25-22, in the NCAA Season 100 Women’s elimination round.
Rookie, Vanessa Sarie, exploded in her debut game for Letran, churning out 22 points from 21 thundering attacks. While holdover, Yen Martin, assisted with 16 points of her own.
The first two sets proved that the Lady Knights needed tighter grip on the defensive end to secure the win. Despite inconsistencies in communication and play execution, they managed to hold off the Lady Bombers in the second frame after a deuce, 28-26.
Spirits tilted in another set, where Letran was chasing from behind a 15-point gap that eventually led to an over reception to give away the third, 11-25.
Determined to correct their play on the floor, Natalie Estreller tossed strategic passes from all ends in the fourth set, allowing Sarie to capitalize from the back line and activate Judiel Nitura for a running quick to reverse the possession right before Martin tied it at 19-all.
Nitura then scores a pair of aces to build the right momentum for the concluding point from the opposite end.
Nicole Grace Deala made an effort for JRU, dealing damage with 15 points, while Patricia Del Pillar scored 11 attacks with 5 blocks.
Even though they got the victory, head coach Oliver Almadro stresses the team’s lack of consistency, saying that players will have to adjust to the rotation and the new double elimination round of NCAA volleyball.
“Lara and Gia just returned, and I have a lot of rookies, if you can see it, 70% ng team namin ay rookies. So, I have to maximize, para mafeel nila what’s NCAA. I’m not hurrying it, ang sa’kin lang, we have to be consistent, the result will take care of itself, so consistency lang yung hinahabol namin muna,” he said.
Both squads will go against their Muralla neighbor, Mapua University, on February 27, Thursday, starting at 1:00 PM.