By: Jerod Orcullo
The Letran volleyball teams push for the final four spots with double wins against San Beda in the NCAA Season 99 Men's and Women's tournaments. Photo courtesy of Ram Christian Campos of The LANCE.
Women’s Division
The Letran Lady Knights survived Angel Habacon’s 29-point outburst and the San Beda Lady Red Spikers, 29-27, 20-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13, in the NCAA Season 99 Women's Volleyball preliminary round at the Filoil EcoOil Centre this afternoon.
Gia Maquilang spearheaded Letran's offense with 29 points built on 20 spikes, three aces, and a block, while the defensive end was anchored by Lara Mae Silva who secured 29 excellent digs.
Letran trailed two sets to one headed into a deciding fourth frame. The Lady Knights struggled to develop momentum and close out earlier sets against the towering defenders of San Beda that tallied a total of 10 blocks.
Maquilang, Judiel Nitura, and Yen Martin caught fire as their team jumped to an early 13-2 lead, yet they saw this lead disappear after the Lady Red Spikers went on a 10-point run of their own that forced Coach Oliver Almadro to call a timeout.
A late substitution saw Lea Tapang check in for the Intramuros-based squad to provide a much needed spark. She immediately delivered with a spike down the line, a few plays later San Beda committed an attack error which ended the set, 25-23.
After yet another late set push, the Lady Knights caught a break in the final set after a service from San Beda soared past the playing court, which allowed Letran to complete the comeback win, 15-13.
Habacon finished with a game-high 29 points on 26 attacks and two blocks, followed by Kleineross Abraham and Sophie Cagalawan who had 17 and 14, respectively.
Men's Division
The Letran Knights claimed victory over the San Beda Red Spikers, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the NCAA Season 99 Men's Volleyball tournament.
Bembem Bautista led his team in scoring with 21 points while Steven Sta. Maria followed close behind with 20 of his own, along with Paolo Lorenzo and Vince Himzon who had 15 and 14, respectively.
With the game tied at 23 apiece in the opener, Lorenzo scored on an attack through the middle which was quickly answered by Mohammad Tahiluddin’s own spike to force a deuce.
Bautista broke San Beda’s defense with a fiery kill and an untimely error swung the set in favor of the blue shirts, 26-24.
The Red Spikers managed to steal a set from Letran but the steady force of Bautista, Sta. Maria, Lorenzo, and Himzon backed by a floor defense that scattered a total of 26 excellent digs, securing the Knights their fifth win of the season.
Axel Van Book top-scored with 22 points on 20 attacks, an ace, and a block, while Tahiluddin and Anrie Bakil had 14 apiece.
Letran continues their hunt for a final four placing in their last match of the preliminary round against San Sebastian on Wednesday, May 8.