By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights secured a spot in the finals with a stunning upset over the top-seeded De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers in NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final Four match held last June 6, 2025, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. Photo Courtesy: Ram Christian Campos.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights pulled a finals-clinching upset over the top ranked De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 22-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-20, in the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final Four Match held, yesterday, June 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Letran’s Bembem Bautista seized the moment as he executed a commanding performance with 27 points built on 24 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
The 6-foot-two outside hitter from Tondo has proven himself to be a lethal offensive threat—coming from humble beginnings hustling in one day leagues helped him gain confidence and strength to wax hot in the most crucial stage of his volleyball career without fear.
Letran started off with a quick four-point lead in the first, 9-5, until the Benilde squad raised the stakes and took over the lead. The eagerness to gain a step ahead was clear as both head coaches utilized all challenges in their bag until Benilde went toe-to-toe with Letran to win the setpoint, 22-25.
Bautista started tearing the Blazers’ defense at the start of the second set, scoring consecutive power spikes from all over the court.
After bearing score advantage, Captain John Wayne Araño’s quick one handed side-out toss to a running Dave Lardizabal paced the Knights to set point.
Everybody was ready to move onto the third when Letran gathered to secure the second set, however, a successful net fault challenge by Benilde extended the joust, 25-25. It was Felix Bermido’s single man coverage on Raymark Betco that put a stop to the roller coaster ride of a second set, 26-28.
After the thrilling set, the Muralla-based squad played like a well-oiled machine—bringing with them the built up momentum as compared to the Green Shirts’ lost demeanor in the play.
The gap blew up as large as 12 points in the third, 20-8, making it difficult for the trailing Blazers to stage a comeback in the third and final set.
CSB’s graduating setter Jericho Fajardo dished 13 excellent sets in his final game. Meanwhile, the rookie spiker Betco and Mike Balbacal scored 15 points apiece.
The Letran Knights will face the Arellano University Chiefs in the coveted centennial season finals—a team that has beaten them twice during the elimination rounds, on June 8 at FilOil EcoOil Centre.