By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s volleyball teams fell to Arellano University in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions during the NCAA Season 100 elimination round on March 22, 2025, at the Jose Rizal University Gym. Photo Courtesy: Kim Yoshi Espiritu.
Men’s Division
The Letran Knights bowed down to the Arellano Chiefs, 1-3, 25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 21-25 in the first round eliminations of the NCAA Season 100 volleyball tournament held yesterday at the Jose Rizal University Gym.
Dave Lardizabal’s blazing fourth set performance was not enough to pull a comeback for his crew. The middle blocker posted 18 points built on 27 attacks, one block, and an ace. While his position counterpart, Vince Himzon, contributed with 13 points.
Letran endured a faulty start after committing three errors in the service line. Lorenz Vicente then raised the pace, finding an open spot down the line to close the first set with a six-point cushion, 25-19.
The opposing side displayed successful blockings which kept the Knights within a two-point differential all throughout during the second set. Justin Berdal was the go-to-guy for the Chiefs’ rally towards the set point that was eventually closed by a kill attack against two white-shirts.
Jan Will and Jiwen Sinuto, the sibling duo from Arellano, took turns in rampaging Letran’s fort, building their lead by each possession from 11-15 until Jake Pangilinan seals the third with a middle connection, 20-25.
Christer Ambrocio chimed in with Lardizabal's efforts to turn the tide, but ultimately fell short, 21-25, in their quadruple set clash.
The Chiefs’ offensive charge was led by the Sinuto brothers who combined for 25 points. Anfernee Curamen backstopped the duo with his share of 12 points and a game-high of four blocks.
Women’s Division
Sweat and tears poured down as the Lady Chiefs handed the Lady Knights’ their first defeat in four sets, 20-25, 25-22, 23-25, 20-25, in round one of the NCAA Season 100 volleyball tournament eliminations.
Despite a high-scoring output from both Judiel Nitura and Gia Maquilang, the Lady Knights struggled to maintain their winning form. Nitura and Maquilang scored 23 and 25 apiece, accounting for over 50% of Letran’s overall offense.
While team captain, Lara Mae Silva, roamed all over the court, converting 27 excellent digs to close mishaps on the defensive end.
Long rallies were displayed early on, seeing the excellent defense of both squads who received each attack with grit and resilience. The first set ended, 20-25, from a crosscourt strike from the blue shirts.
Their nip-and-tuck affair extended to the remaining frames, but Arellano seemed to read Letran’s offensive tactics from the start as they thread open areas after every loose play. Unforced errors added to Lady Knights’ woes, who required timely player rotations from Coach Oliver Almadro to momentarily save them from exhaustion.
Royce Dela Cruz and Maquilang provided a solid run to keep Letran in contention. Maquilang delivered three successive aces to fuel their squad’s momentum to win their only set in the second, 25-22.
However, Laika Tudlasan and Samantha Tiratira caught fire late, securing the dominant victory for Arellano with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
The Intramuros-based squads will regroup before facing San Beda University on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.