MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights scored a stunning 25-22, 25-23, 26-24 upset over College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball tournament at the Lyceum Gym in Manila.
Yen Martin led the way with 19 points, built on 17 attacks and a block, while Vanessa Sarie tallied a double-double of 15 points and 12 excellent receptions for the Lady Knights.
Judiel Nitura was also effective from both ends with 12 points, along with seven excellent digs for the Season 99 runner-up Lady Knights, which now has a 3-0 win-loss slate.
With the stunning victory, the Lady Knights snapped the Lady Blazers’ 43-game winning streak dating back to NCAA Season 95 in 2020. CSB’s last defeat was in the semifinals round of the NCAA Season 94 in January, 2019.
“I credit it to the players. We have to learn in this game. Pero, they really want to win. They refused to lose. They really want to win so who am I as nag-ga-guide sa kanila to prevent it so they’re the ones who want it,” Letran head coach Oliver Almadro said after the game.
“So, they want it and they asked for it and then the Lord gave it to them. So, sabi lang namin kanina, let’s just have a joyful heart and offer it to the Lord. Kung anong ibibigay sa amin, we’ll take it,” he added.
Wielyn Estoque finished with 13 points, while Mycah Go had nine points for the three-time defending champions Lady Blazers, which slipped to a 3-1 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Therese Manalo connected a match-clinching attack as Mapua University Lady Cardinals defeated Lyceum of the Philippines Lady Pirates, 25-19, 18-25, 21-25, 25-20, 16-14.
With the Lady Cardinals at match point at 15-14 following an attack error by the Lady Chiefs, Manalo clinched the win for Mapua after she found a hole on the middle of Lyceum’s defense for a drop ball.
Freighanne Garcia posted 14 points on 14 attacks to help guide the Lady Cardinals to their breakthrough win after dropping their first two matches. The Lady Chiefs, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive defeat to drop to a 1-3 record./PN
