By: Rylie San Juan
Photo by Anne Nicole Rebagay and Maverick Rhoy De Vera | The LANCE
Women’s Volleyball
The Letran Lady Knights improved their record once more after defeating their rivals, the San Beda Lady Spikers, 3-1 earlier today at the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament held at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila
Judiel Nitura’s performance stood out once again, concluding the game with 22 points with 19 coming from spikes. Vanessa Sarie and Gia Maquilang were not far behind, as both players contributed 14 points each to aid in the win.
It was too close for comfort in the opening set for the Lady Knights. Letran managed to take the lead earl,y but San Beda overcame it right away.
The Lady Spikers’ great defense made it tough for the Lady Knights to get any offense in, long rallies always ended in favor of San Beda, while the Lady Knights struggled to keep themselves in the set. Nitura’s aggressive attacks proved to be insufficient as the Lady Knights dropped the first frame 17-25
The story was different in the following set, Letran once again took the lead early, thanks to Maquilang’s cross-court attacks, which quickly became a problem for the Lady Spikers.
The offense ran smoothly for Letran in the second; the likes of Sarie and Nitura continued the offensive pressure while also taking advantage of the errors committed by San Beda. The Lady Knights secured the biggest lead of 12 points while also taking the set 25-13, tying the matchup at one apiece.
The momentum was on the side of Letran as they entered the third frame, the scores flowed easily for the Lady Knights while San Beda was left in the dust, scrambling for answers. Maquilang’s drop attacks were left unguarded by the Lady Spikers.
Letran slowly inched away from San Beda, snatching the set 25-13, with another 12 point lead by the end of the third.
The domination of the Lady Knights continued into the fourth and final set. The trio of Nitura, Sarie, and Maquilang ended San Beda’s hopes of a potential comeback. After once again securing a 12 point lead, Letran cruised to victory on a final score of 25-13.
Angel Habacon tallied 12 points for San Beda, Janelle Bachar scored seven, while Sofia Dela Cruz ended the game with six.
Men’s Volleyball
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights snapped their winning streak after falling to their rivals, the San Beda Red Spikers, in four sets, 1-3, earlier today at the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Volleyball Tournament held at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila.
Lou Ambrocio led the Knights in scoring with 17 points, 16 coming from spikes. While the duo of Derrick Bautista and Dave Lardizabal concluded the game with 14 points each.
The matchup was close all throughout the first set, as both teams played with intensity and grit. Ambrocio and Bautista manned the offense for Letran, while Axel Book carried the load for San Beda. The lead change went back-and-forth as both teams traded blows, but it was the Red Spikers who grabbed the first frame after a set extension 24-26.
It was another nail-biter in the second set as the two teams were still unable to cling to a significant lead. The gap stayed within one to two points in the opening minutes, but the story changed midway through. Ambrocio and Lardizabal’s attacks sparked Letran’s offense as they took the biggest lead of five points to secure the second set at 25-20.
It seemed that the Knights finally gained momentum in the third after bagging the previous set, but San Beda had other plans. Despite the significant lead, Book did not back down from the challenge, as he slowly chipped away at the established lead of the Knights. With the game all tied up, San Beda capitalized on a service error on the side of Letran, forcing another set extension which the Red Spikers ultimately won.
With their backs against the wall, it was Bautista who stepped up offensively. His hard spikes, along with his long reach for blocks kept the set close for Letran. Unfortunately, the service errors continued to pile up for the Intramuros-based squad, all while San Beda continued to bombard the Knights with aggressive attacks that Letran was unable to defend.
The Red Spikers managed to grab an eight point lead and were on match point, but the Knights managed to come back to within two. San Beda closed the doors on Letran after a close final set, ending the frame at 23-25.
Axel Book spearheaded San Beda’s offense with 24 points. Anrie Bakil tallied 15, while Alener Munsing and Ralph Cabalsa both scored 10 for the Red Spikers
The stage is set for the next matchup of Letran’s volleyball teams, as they prepare to battle against the Perpetual Altas on February 10, at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila.