By: Aianna Xyril Monsod
In Photos: The Letran Lady Knights faced the Golden Stags on May 6 in the second round of the women's volleyball tournament, while the Letran Knights competed against the EAC Generals in the first round of the men's volleyball match. Photo Courtesy: NCAA Philippines
Men’s division
Punching their ticket to the semifinals, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights dismantled the Mapua Cardinals in a straight-sets demolition, 26-16, 25-21, 25-20, during the closing game of the NCAA Season 100 volleyball elimination rounds on May 28 at the Filoil Centre.
Instrumental in securing their final four berth, Vince Himzon topped Letran’s scoring with 13 attacks and two blocks, backed by double-digit efforts from John Derrick Bautista with 11 points and Dave Lardizabal with 10.
The Knights found themselves in a tight contest to begin the first set, battling back to tie at 10-all. Fueled by a relentless combination of powerful attacks and timely blocks, the squad then surged ahead, dominating the rest of the frame to secure it 25-16.
The second period proved to be a tighter battle, with Mapua relying on the scoring prowess of Ramos to stay afloat. Despite his efforts, the Cardinals were ultimately undone by their own unforced errors, including costly attacks and services that sailed out of bounds. Letran, meanwhile, continued to find success through the potent swings of Himzon and Lardizabal.
With Mapua at 21 points and Letran at set point, it was the latter's Vicente who delivered the set-clinching attack and put the Knights firmly ahead 2-0.
After a competitive start to the third frame, the Cardinals eventually gained a four-point advantage at 16-12, thanks to efficient attacks of Topacio and Eslapor. But the Knights quickly orchestrated a decisive rally, with Bautista delivering pivotal points that not only erased the deficit but propelled them to a commanding 24-19 lead. Team captain John Wayne Araño then brilliantly sealed the victory with a clever setter dump over the net to complete the sweep.
Arjay Ramos led Mapua with 10 points, while Barbie San Andres contributed eight.
Letran now sets its sights on the challenging Final Four, where they'll once again share the court with the recently defeated Mapua University, alongside formidable contenders De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Arellano University.
Women’s division
Mirroring their male counterparts, the Lady Knights claimed a pivotal four-set win, 34-36, 28-25, 25-17, 25-22, against fellow final four contender Mapua Lady Cardinals to secure a crucial seeding advantage heading into the semi-finals.
Pacing Letran to victory, Gia Maquilang exploded for 22 points, powered by 19 successful attacks and two blocks. Vanessa Sarie and Judiel Nitura also delivered 15 points apiece, with Sarie's robust stat line also featuring 14 digs and 10 receptions.
The opening set saw the Lady Cardinals establish an early lead, though the Lady Knights consistently kept pace in a tightly contested exchange. With Mapua holding a seemingly comfortable 23-17 advantage, Letran's Gia Maquilang, coming off the bench, ignited a spectacular late-set surge. She rattled off consecutive points, not only denying Mapua set point but pushing her team to the brink of a comeback.
The set then intensified into a thrilling extended battle, with both squads trading set points, but it was Mapua's Raissa Ricablanca who ultimately delivered back-to-back scores to finally close out the marathon frame, 36-34.
The Lady Cardinal Nicole Ong consistently found the mark with her attacks as the second period went underway. Still, the Lady Knights quickly established control, as Sarie and Marjorie Napal delivered timely points that allowed them to pull away and claim the set 25-18.
Letran seized firm control of the third frame, unleashing a barrage of back-to-back scores that paved their way to a dominant 25-17 win. Early in the frame, Royce Dela Cruz delivered consecutive aces to quickly level the score with Mapua. Natalie Estreller and Nitura also contributed successive points, securing a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth and final set saw both teams battle through moments of sloppiness, trading errors under intense pressure. Mapua found early offense through Grace Cabadin, with Ong consistently delivering points to keep their team alive. Yet, Letran's formidable Maquilang, ably supported by Sarie, provided the necessary firepower to seal the victory.
Ricablanca spearheaded the Lady Cardinals' offense with 18 points, backstopped by Ong and Freighanne Garcia with 15 and 14 points respectively.
Letran's semi-final opponent hinges on Friday's Benilde-Lyceum clash, completing a Final Four field that also includes Mapua.