By: Aishah Jimenez
The Letran Knights secured second place in Men’s Volleyball after a hard-fought battle against the Arellano University Chiefs in the NCAA Season 100 Finals. Photo Courtesy: NCAA Philippines.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran could not extinguish the fiery play of the Arellano University Chiefs, caving into the eventual champions in a four-set affair, 24-26, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17, during Game 2 of the finals, on June 11 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Bembem Bautista surged for the Knights with 15 points built on 12 attacks, two aces, and a block. Backing him was Christer Lou Ambrocio who chipped in 12 points, and Vince Himzon and Dave Lardizabal unleashed 11 markers, respectively.
The Chiefs' denial to the Knights marks the 15-year NCAA title drought for the latter, lastly capturing the grand slam back in Season 85. On a brighter side, however, Letran managed to improve their standing in the league, from earning bronze in Season 99 to reaping silver in the recently concluded tournament.
The Knights overcame the opener, despite the Chiefs actually erasing the former’s four-point advantage to make the set tied at 24-all as Felix Bermido scored and John Romer Sumagaysay aced on the service line to clinch the final point.
A nip-and-tuck episode was seen on the second set until AU’s captain-setter Adrian Villados effectively connected with AC Guinto to stretch out and seal the frame.
The Intramuros-based squad had a difficult time re-doing what they had done in the first, trailing by as much as 10, 21-11. Bermido’s strike on the cross court and Lardizabal’s running attack on top of chipping in charities allowed Letran to stand at 15, but a Carl Berdal block against Lardizabal shortly handed the set to AU.
Heading into the decider, it had been almost similar to the previous set, with the Chiefs’ delivering a huge stretch against Letran midway. The latter, however, managed to still stay alive following Bautista’s attack and Lardizabal’s block, 24-17, until Jake Pangilinan’s quick hit grasped Arellano's first championship chip in the league.
Dispatching 24 of 25 excellent sets, Arellano’s facilitator Adrian Villados brought his co-starters to double digits. Guinto top-scored the Legarda-based team with 17 points, while Berdal finished with 16. Jiwen Sinuto, Anfernee Curamen, and Pangilinan supplied 14, 12, and 10 markers, respectively.
Although the end goal was not achieved, Letran, favorably prospered in the individual honors. Lardizabal was hailed as the Freshman of the Year, whereas Vince Himzon clinched the 1st Best Middle Blocker badge. Captain-setter John Wayne Araño, meanwhile, earned the season’s Best Setter.
In an interview, Araño shared that the team learned to power through every situation with resiliency.
“Siguro po natutunan namin kung paano maging matatag sa bawat sitwasyon na kinakaharap namin, katulad na lamang noong semi-finals, rank four kami tapos twice-to-beat ‘yung Benilde. Nag-short man po tayo sa championship, alam ko na proud na proud ako sa mga ka-team ko at alam namin na babawi kami next season,” said the Best Setter.
Preparing for the future, he likewise stated that their crew is aiming to primarily improve their collective bond as they were always reminded by the coaching staff that they are playing not just for themselves but as a team. Apart from this, all of them will work through their defenses both on the floor and in the net.
Notwithstanding the lapses, however, what seems to be their edge heading into another season for the playmaker is that not a single player will graduate.
Araño on receiving the Best Setter plum
He bared that he did not anticipate to bag the recognition as there is Arellano’s Adrian Villados who is already a veteran in the sport.
“Sa totoo lang hindi ko talaga ineexpect na ako yung magbe-best setter, nagulat lang ako noong sinabi sa akin ni Father Vic na “ikaw best setter ka.” Gulat na gulat talaga ako kasi nga we all know that Adrian Villados from AU is a national team player, a pro-league player, he is just versatile, the way he plays, and he is tall as well so I was just really surprised,” the captain-setter uttered.
Lardizabal on being the Freshman of the Year
The rookie middle blocker stated that he was aware of his competitors for the award, especially Benilde’s libero, but he highlighted that he was confident of securing the recognition as his setter’s expertise is to toss the ball for quick attacks.
“Para sa akin, sa pagiging freshman, marami rin po akong mga kalaban lalo na ‘yung libero ng Benilde. Mas confident lang ako ngayon na magiging freshman of the year ako kasi yung setter ko ma-ano talaga sa quick, kumbaga nandoon rin yung connection,” he uttered
Playing for a championship-caliber team, National University, and eventually seizing gold in his last year of high school before heading into the walls of Muralla, Lardizabal revealed that one thing he was able to convey was his leadership skills, noting that regardless of being in his first year in the collegiate rank, he is not fearful to correct the mistakes of his seniors.
Finally, as he wrapped his rookie year with a silver, he disclosed that he was joyous to bring Letran back to the championship match after 15 long years.