By: Aishah Jimenez
Photo Courtesy: NCAA Philippines.
Men’s Division
Colegio de San Juan de Letran completed their comeback after their loss to Arellano Chiefs at the expense of the Benilde Blazers, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, during the NCAA Season 100 second round on May 21 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Veteran Vince Himzon spearheaded the Knights with 21 points, built on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Aiding him were Christer Lou Ambrocio, who delivered 12 points, six digs, and seven receptions, Derrick Bautista with 11 markers, and Felix Bermido with nine.
This recent triumph was not only substantial to tighten their footing in the final four but was also purposeful as they perfected their revenge on their first-round tormentor.
The Knights had already displayed their thirst for a win in the opener as they slowly built their stretch following an attack from Lorenz Vicente and a block from Ambrocio, 21-19.
Benilde’s Rocky Roy Motol erupted for two strong attacks to tie the set at 21, which was escorted by Martin Baldado’s point from his steely floor defense before Motol prompted another push. Himzon aimed for a stoppage, which was answered back by Jacob Herrera to put the Blazers on set point. Bautista delivered for yet another shutdown, but Herrera was just unstoppable.
While the succeeding set was almost a replica of the first frame, Letran, eventually, was able to sit on a four-point cushion, 24-20, owing to Dave Lardizabal’s attack and costly errors from the Taft-based crew. The latter was able to obtain a charity after the former’s John Sumagaysay service headed out, but it was Lorenz Vicente who managed to split the set to 1-1.
Heading into the third period, the Intramuros-based squad capitalized on CSB’s errors, forcing them to trail by as much as eight, 20-12. Benilde’s Mike Balbacal attempted to stop the Knights' rampage, but it was countered by two errors, putting Letran into another set point. Andrew Abeto then yielded a charity before he sealed the set with a backrow attack.
The Benilde Blazers had the opportunity to extend the match to five sets, leading against Letran by four, 22-18, but the latter became persistent in erasing the gap as Himzon scored in the service line.
Motol once again showed his scoring prowess, but it was again responded to by Bautista to tie the set 23-all. Yet, it was long shots from Kevin Ondevilla and Balbacal that pushed Letran to victory.
Despite the loss that impelled CSB to slip to 12-3, Motol paced the Blazers with 25 points and 23 receptions while Balbacal produced 11. The Knights, meanwhile, rose to 10-6.
Women’s Division
The shot for a dual win, however, was not realized as the Lady Knights fell to the Lady Blazers in a four set showdown, 18-25, 19-25, 25-17, 18-25.
Letran’s accumulated 80 points was owed to the contributions of stellar rookie Vanessa Sarie, who scored 16 points on top of eight digs and 17 receptions. Behind her back was Judiel Nitura with 10 markers.
The eagerness of the Lady Blazers to atone for their round one loss against,the league’s front-runner can quickly be grasped as they delivered a 14-2 run midway the first set against the latter, 8-18. CSJL, however, began to pace themselves in the names of Yen Martin and Gia Maquilang but ultimately surrendered to the defending champions.
In the second canto, effective Taft-towers made Letran struggle from attacking and counterblocking, only finishing 10 attacks with no block points as opposed to CSB’s 12 spike points with three blocks.
The spirited Muralla-based crew finally awakened on the third, propelling an eight point advantage versus the Lady Blazers, 20-12. Points after points, the Blazers actually saved four set points following consecutive attacks from Rhea Densing and Zam Nolasco and two errors on the red and white team but Verennice Colendra’s off the block point delivered the set feat for the latter.
On the extender, the Lady Blazers denied Letran a chance for yet another set thriller, after creating a 23-14 cushion with a quick attack from Nolasco. The Lady Knights strived to get back, but Densing was able to escape Nitura and Dela Cruz’s net defense.
Nolasco starred for the green shirts after finishing with 17 points, laced on 11 attacks and six blocks while Christy Ondangan finished with 14. Shahanna Lleses and Densing chipped in 10 markers apiece.
Stretching down their winning streak to six, Benilde now stands atop with a 13-2 record while pinning Letran just behind them at 13-3.
Letran will attempt to solidify its respective standings in its next match against Jose Rizal University on Sunday, May 25, at San Andres Gym.