As their respective teams punched tickets to the NCAA stepladder semifinals, Lara Mae Silva of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and AC Guinto of Arellano University were named as the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Players of the Week for the last elimination week of the NCAA Season 99 volleyball tournament.
Silva proved to be crucial for the Lady Knights as she had 23 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions in their match against San Sebastian College-Recoletos where they won, 25-20, 25-27, 20-25, 25-12, 15-9.
With the win, Letran officially clinched the no. 2 spot as it returned to the Final Four after 12 years and finished the elimination round with a 7-2 card.
"It just so happens that they believe in the system. Whatever it is, unexpected eh. We never thought that we would be in the Final Four and in this position pa. But the job is not yet done, let’s see where this journey will bring us," Letran head coach Oliver Almadro said.
Silva, who is currently the league's leading libero, bested teammate Gia Maquilang, Mapua’s Raissa Ricablanca, and Arellano’s Pauline De Guzman for the weekly recognition.
Meanwhile, Guinto had 20 points from 18 attacks and two blocks, along with 16 excellent receptions, as the Chiefs also returned to the Final Four after winning over Jose Rizal University, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15 and had a 5-4 card at the end of the elimination round.
Guinto won against fellow Chief Carl Berdal and Letran’s John Derrick Bautista for the weekly honors.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
