MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran surged to within one win of the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball crown after outlasting College of Saint Benilde in a pulsating five-set thriller, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-14, 15-11, to seize a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Showing championship poise, the Lady Knights recovered from two sets down and dominated the closing stretch, turning the fourth set into a rout before holding their nerve in the decider to put the Lady Blazers on the brink.
After dropping the opening frame, Letran bounced back in the second to even the match, only to see Benilde regain control with a strong third set showing. Refusing to fold, the Intramuros-based squad imposed its will in the fourth before completing the comeback in the fifth set.
Judiel Nitura powered the Lady Knights with 21 points built on 18 spikes, two aces, and one block to earn Player of the Game honors, while Vanessa Sarie delivered 19 attacks and anchored the floor defense with 15 receptions.
Gia Maquilang also came through with an all-around effort of 18 points highlighted by three aces, alongside 17 digs and 13 receptions, while Lara Mae Silva held the defensive line with 37 digs.
Letran now has a chance to cap its impressive campaign and clinch the championship in Game 2 on Wednesday at the same venue.
“Sobrang saya kasi naging buo kami na nanalo sa Benilde. Sobrang tagal na namin ‘tong pinapangarap, na makuha ‘yung championship,” Nitura said. “Pero hindi pa ‘to tapos. May Game 2 pa, so kailangan naming pag-igihan pa.”
Zamantha Nolasco led Benilde with 21 points anchored on 19 attacks and two blocks, while Ilongga rookie Camila Amor Bartolome added 15 markers./PN
