By: Jerod Orcullo
The Letran Knights face its first loss as the Lady Knights continue their win streak defeating the Perpetual Altas. Photo courtesy of GMA Sports via NCAA Philippines.
Men's Division
The Letran Knights were at the receiving end of a 27-point explosion by Louie Ramirez in the loss to the Perpetual Altas, 24-26, 21-25, 19-25, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan earlier today.
Vince Himzon poured in 15 markers on 13 attacks and two kill blocks, followed by Steven Sta. Maria and Paolo Lorenzo who both had 11 apiece, while Bembem Bautista finished with 10 points despite the loss.
Ramirez and Himzon dueled it out to open the match with each soaring and scoring with little to no effort against their opposing blockers, yet it was Perpetual that prevailed as Letran committed costly errors in the dying moments, 24-26.
Both teams maintained the pressure in the following sets, animosity between the teams was felt through every scream, players showing their swagger after every point tallied, a feud that can be traced back to their bout in the Spikers Turf Conference in the offseason, where the Intramuros-based squad came out triumphant in four sets.
The defending NCAA champions set out to prove a statement this time around as they managed to keep Letran at bay in a clean but hard-fought contest through a straight set victory after Kobe Tabuga’s spike down the middle, 19-25.
Ramirez was unstoppable with a game-high 27 points through 25 spikes and two rejections. Christian Enarciso was his main facilitator with 26 excellent sets, while Jefferson Marapoc churned out 11 of his own.
Women's Division
Gia Maquilang rose to the occasion as the Letran Lady Knights dismantled the Perpetual Lady Altas, 25-21, 25-20, 30-28, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Maquilang once again spearheaded Letran and was hailed as the player of game, tallying 19 markers with 16 attacks and two service aces. Natalie Estreller continued to set up her squad through a game-high 18 excellent sets, backed by Nizelle Martin and Judiel Nitura who had 11 and nine, respectively.
Coach Oliver Almadro's squad jumped out to a quick 14-7 lead through various errors of Perpetual. Shaila Omipon single-handedly clawed her team back into the game with three spikes and Letran committing errors of their own going on a six to nothing run.
Coming off a timeout, the Lady Altas trailed by four points, 22-18. They went on another run to try and steal the set away from the Lady Knights but a quick substitution for service specialist Keiara Almirante proved to be key as she secured the set with an ace, 25-21.
With the game in the balance, Perpetual was poised to force a fourth set, only requiring two more points in the process. However, Letran had other plans as they chipped away at the deficit and tied the game warranting a deuce for the decider.
Neither team looked to give up their stance, exchanging attacks and errors. In an effort to seal the match once and for all, Maquilang stepped up in the clutch and delivered two daggers, 30-28.
Omipon tied Maquilang's totals with 19 markers of her own on 17 attacks, while no other Lady Altas came close to double-digits with the closest being Winnie Bedana who had seven.
The Letran Knights look to get back into the win column while the Lady Knights will seek for win number three in their matches against Emilio Aguinaldo College on April 16 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.