By: Aishah Jimenez
In photos: The Lady Knights triumphed over the EAC Generals in the second round of the women's volleyball match. Also pictured is player number 15, Dave Ladrizabal, from the men's volleyball team from the previous match against the EAC generals. Photo Courtesy: NCAA Philippines.
Men’s Division
Colegio de San Juan de Letran withstood a gripping four-set matchup against the EAC Generals, 27-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-13, to resurge in the winning column, during the NCAA Season 100 second elimination round on April 29 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Such a victory seemed to be a deja vu moment for the Knights, yielding in also the second set to the Generals in their round 1 face-off on March 20. The tourney sweep likewise permitted the former to churn out two winning streaks against the Kalaw-based crew after being defeated in the second-round stepladder in Season 99.
Bem Bautista paced the Knights with 19 points accumulated by 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Lorenz Vicente and Dave Lardizabal, meanwhile, aided Bautista with 13 and 12 points apiece.
An intensified set opener was produced as neither of the squads backed down and even utilized video challenges but remained unsuccessful. Still, CSJL edged the EAC after Bautista and Lardizabal secured points from their respective attacks.
On their way to another set, the Muralla-based squad struggled against the sudden venting of the Generals’ trio of Frelwin Taculog, Michael Gela, and Kenneth Batiancila, trailing by as much as eight, 20-12. The former attempted to lessen the damage, taking in even charities from the latter team’s error but eventually surrendered.
Cruising past to the third, EAC may have displayed a more efficient game strategy, pinning Letran to be just behind them until an attack error from the former tied the set at 22-all. Two attacks from Vicente propelled Letran to set point, which was backstopped by Christer Lou Ambrocio’s soft touch to clinch their third-set victory.
On the eventual decider, Letran Knights showed no mercy against their opponents, seating comfortably on a 10-point stretch, 23-13, until an error from the Generals and a powerful hit from Lardizabal served the feat for the Intramuros crew.
Despite Taculog’s another impressive outing, Emilio Aguinaldo College fell to 3-9. The Knights, on the other hand, rose to 7-5.
Women’s Division
The Lady Knights, meanwhile, exhibited familiarity against the Lady Generals, crushing them in straight sets, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18, to be the first team in the women’s division to grab their double-digit match wins in the NCAA’s centennial season.
Just like their counterparts, the Lady Knights also managed to sweep EAC in the double round-robin. Pioneering the victory was Gia Maquilang who finished with 14 points on top of 10 digs, which was supported by rising stars Vanessa Sarie with nine points and Verenicce Colendra with eight.
CSJL had already performed dominantly in the first set with a four-point advantage, 24-20, but EAC’s Erica Bodonal remained eager to spoil the former’s momentum after a successful attack. Her error in the service line, however, permitted Letran to grab the opener.
The Lady Generals were determined to exact revenge in the second, actually having the game be in their favor, 12-7. Yet, the Lady Knights' deficit was slowly erased owing to the efforts of Royce Dela Cruz, Natalie Estreller, and Judiel Nitura.
Things appeared to take turn in the latter as Letran relentlessly exploded for a 9-0 rampage. Colendra, who shines off the bench, remained valiant, contributing four of nine in their stretch which came from three attacks and a block point. Just behind her was Sarie who chipped in three, including the down the line hit that prompted the former to seal another set.
It may have been a joyful conquest for the Intramuros-based squad to conclude the third set as they responded to EAC's consecutive errors midway with strong attacks, widening the gap to nine, 23-14. The latter once again strived to revive themselves, but spikes from Pearl Brago and Maquilang ushered Letran to their match point.
The Lady Generals’ 59 points in three sets were primarily owed to the attacks of Bodonal, Elizza Alimen, and Cara Dayanan. Their loss, however, keeps them in a 3-9 record.
With their 10-2 card, the Lady Knights’ chief tactician Oliver Almadro shared that ranking does not matter as of the moment but what remains important is to have consistency going towards the end of the elimination round.
Letran will look to set off another elimination sweep in their upcoming match against the Lyceum of the Philippines University on May 2 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.