By: Rylie San Juan
The Letran Lady Knights were handed their first loss after succumbing to the San Beda Lady Red Spikers in game two of the Semifinals of the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, held at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila.
Judiel Nitura sparked the offense for the Lady Knights, dropping 20 points. The sophomore Vanessa Sarie contributed 16 markers to go with nine digs and 14 receptions.
It was a slow start for the Lady Knights in the opening set as multiple errors piled up and the difficulties in scoring persisted. The story was different for San Beda, the Lady Red Blazers ran on all cylinders and made quick work of the Lady Knights, drawing first blood and taking the first set at a dominating score of 17-25.
In the second frame, back-to-back service aces from Leonilyn Padilla and Nitura placed Letran ahead by four points, the biggest in the competition so far. Service errors plagued the Lady Knights but Sarie and Nitura continued to carry the offensive load for Letran. The scoring was back and forth for both squads but it was a service ace from Nitura that sealed the deal for set two, ending at 25-21.
San Beda came alive in the opening minutes of set three, going on a 3-0 run that placed them ahead, but not by much. Midway through the round, the Lady Red Spikers began to inch away from the Lady Knights, a 19-13 cushion was secured by San Beda but a 5-0 run from the Intramuros-based squad quickly diminished the established lead. A crucial service error from Sarie placed the Lady Red Spikers on set point, followed by a block on Nitura’s attack attempt which closed out the set for San Beda 23-25.
The intensity continued in the following frame as neither team was willing to back down, both squads exchanged blows and multiple deadlocks were seen. It was already late in the frame when San Beda was finally able to hold any significant advantage and ultimately snap the Lady Knights’ 15 game winning streak 21-25, to force a decider in game three.
Janelle Bachar spearheaded the offense for San Beda, recording 25 points on 20 attacks, with three blocks and a pair of aces, while Angel Habacon tallied 12 points with 11 digs.
The do or die match between Letran and San Beda will be held on Saturday, March 29, at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila.