By: Rylie San Juan
Photo by Juia Iris Eguillano | The LANCE
Judiel Nitura showed up once again, scoring 11 points and one block to lead the Lady Knights to victory. Gia Maquilang and Lastlie Isar were also key contributors as they recorded 10 points and seven points respectively.
In the opening minutes of the first set, Isar’s defense made it difficult for LPU to get anything going, while the likes of Nitura and Padilla kept the offense rolling. The combined efforts of the team gave them a comfortable advantage for the entirety of the set, with the lead stretching to 11 points by the end of the frame 25-14.
The second set saw the Lady Pirates take the lead early on, while Nitura continued to carry the load offensively for Letran.
Maquilang, who was absent in the previous games due to injury, made her return and immediately became a problem for Lyceum. Her strong, high-flying spikes slowly chipped away at Lyceum’s lead and after a long and intense rally, the game was tied at 14 apiece.
On the very next play, Letran claimed the lead for the first time in the entire set. The spikes of the Lady Pirates were no match for Lara Silva’s digs, as she successfully defended multiple spikes of the opponent. The Lady Knights held on to the lead until the final buzzer to go up 2-0 against Lyceum.
The third and final set was more of the same for Nitura and Maquilang as they took turns in scoring for the Lady Knights. The points flowed easily for Letran, while Lyceum scrambled to find answers for the offensive prowess of the Lady Knights.
Long rallies always ended in favor of Letran as they slowly widened the gap which the Lady Pirates were unable to overcome. Verenicce Colendra closed out the match off a drop shot which the Lady Pirates were unable to defend, securing another 3-0 sweep for the Lady Knights.
Ashley Muchillas led the Lady Pirates in points, tallying seven, while Stacey Lopez and Joann De Guzman scored six and four respectively.
Men’s Volleyball
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights added another win to their record after defeating the LPU Pirates 3-1 at the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Volleyball Tournament held at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila
Derrick Bautista recorded a scorching 21 points with 12 coming from spikes while Vince Himzon tallied 17 points. Christer Ambrocio also had his fair share of scoring, ending the game with 14 points.
The Knights had a slow start while the Pirates took quick advantage as Letran struggled to get in rhythm all throughout the first set. The defense of the Pirates was suffocating, preventing the Knights from scoring for the majority of the frame. Bautista spearheaded Letran’s offense but Lyceum’s attacks proved to be too much for the Knights as LPU took the first set 20-25.
It was a different story for the second set however, the match was close right off the bat as Letran began to pick up the pace. Ambrocio’s hot hands carried the Knights’ offense, while the multiple blocks of Letran aided in maintaining the established lead, as Letran cruised through the set with a commanding 25-16 win.
Letran’s momentum was carried over into the third, as the aggressive attacks of Bautista and Himzon continued to terrorize the defense of LPU. Lyceum kept the round close in the beginning but they crumbled defensively late in the frame while Letran slowly inched away. A spike coming from Ambrocio sealed the third set for the Knights, ending at 25-18 as they went up 2-1 in the match.
The offensive aggression of the Knights did not stop in the fourth and final set, Lyceum took the lead, but attacks from Letran made it difficult for the Pirates to maintain any significant advantage. The set was a nail-biter all throughout as both teams did not back down from each other, trading blows and battling through every intense rally. The Knights snatched the victory, 25-22 after a long and grueling fourth set.
Jun Edang led the offense for LPU, tallying 13 points with 12 coming from attacks. Rogel De Guzman ended with 11 while Liam Mojica recorded 10 for the Pirates.
The Knights and Lady Knights are set for a rivalry matchup against San Beda University on February 3, 2026 at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila