By: Aishah Jimenez
Photo by: Ram Christian Campos /The LANCE
Men’s Division
The Letran Knights regained their winning ways following their two-game losing skid after crushing the Lyceum of the University Pirates in three sets, 25-16, 25-18, 25-20, during the NCAA Season 100 first elimination round on March 14 at the Arellano University Gym.
The Knights counted on the quartet of Vince Himzon, Lorenz Vicente, John Derrick Bautista, and Christer Ambrocio to increase their winning streak to four against the Pirates, starting from season 94.
Himzon drove Letran with 15 points, which came from nine attacks, four blocks, and two aces. Vicente, meanwhile assisted the former with 11 kills, while Bautista and Ambrocio put up 10 points apiece.
Leveraging LPU's mistakes and supported by quick attacks, the Muralla-based team played a dominant first set and took a double-digit lead, 21-11. The former attempted to gain momentum but the latter’s Arieh Barba sealed the set with a kill.
Coming into the second set, the flaws appear to have shifted on Letran's side. Their collapse, however, was not realized as their net and floor defense remained intact as Lardizabal made his presence felt, filling in three consecutive points in the early set.
In the third frame, the Knights erupted for a 4-0 run before their fellow Intramuros squad produced three. Nearly reaching the half, the latter was able to diminish the gap by one, 14-13. Yet, their attempt to grab the set crashed as Letran fuels the group with strong kills, 22-17.
Two aces from Ambrocio pushed the Colegio to match point, but Pirates Cielo’s two attacks improved their scoring to 20. It was Bautista from the frontline who delivered a quick run to conclude their bout.
LPU produced 33 attack points, 11 of which came from John Bert Cielo, the lone double-digit scorer of the crew.
With this feat, the Knights now stand at 2-2, while the Pirates remained winless, 0-5.
Women’s Division
The Lady Knights likewise trounced the Lady Pirates in three sets, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24 to improve to 4-0.
Vanessa Sarie and Judiel Nitura exploded for a combined 33 points built on 27 total attacks, four blocks and two aces. Yen Martin and Gia Maquilang both contributed six markers.
Letran and Lyceum kept on exchanging points in the opening frame until Martin and Sarie’s fierce attacks paved the way for the Knights to sit on a four-point advantage, 21-17. Nitura, along with again Sarie, remained unstoppable, denying LPU’s Stacey Lopez to drive her team to a set victory.
Despite boosting up the crew, with Joan Doguna backing up Lopez, the result remained in favor of the Almadro-mentored group.
The Lady Knights almost saw reversal after trailing by four, 15-19 in the third. A 3-0 outing from Maquilang and back-to-back successful attacks from Sarie cut down the deficit to one. Shortly after, an attack error from Lopez tied the set at 19.
Both teams battled hard that led to an extender but it was Nitura’s attack and Sarie’s ace that ended LPU’s hopes.
Lopez churned in 10 points that came from nine kills and a service ace. With LPU’s loss, they now fall to 1-4.
Letran squads in both categories will battle against Emilio Aguinaldo College next on Thursday, March 20 at the Jose Rizal University Gym.