Colegio de San Juan de Letran showcased its deep roster to earn payback against its first-round tormentor, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, eking out a 27–25, 25–23, 25–21 sweep in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Gia Maquilang and Nicen Colendra led the Lady Knights’ second-string surge, firing 14 and 13 points, respectively, with Colendra also contributing five digs. Their efforts helped Letran grab a share of the top spot alongside defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, both sporting 9–2 records.
The sophomore-rookie tandem of Maquilang and Colendra stepped up to support another rising star, first-year standout Vanessa Sarie, who finished with 14 points and 11 receptions to anchor Letran's attack.
"Masaya kami kasi natalo namin ang Perps na tumalo sa amin last round. Kailangan naming bawiin talaga," said Colendra.
"Sabi nga ni Coach O, 'yung first round is parang wala lang muna. Ayusin daw muna namin 'yung sarili namin. Coming into the second round, inisip lang namin 'yung build ng team, 'yung chemistry ng team."
Letran built a comfortable 16–10 lead in the third set, but the Lady ALTAs refused to go down quietly, with Camille Bustamante sparking a rally that trimmed the deficit to 16–19.
A quick play from Royce Dela Cruz pushed Letran ahead, 21–17, but Perpetual answered with a 3–0 blitz behind veteran Winnie Bedaña, cutting the gap to just one.
However, Dela Cruz and Colendra came through in the clutch—first teaming up to block a Shai Omipon attack, then Colendra hammering a point from the opposite side for a 23–20 cushion. Sarie capitalized on an overpass to set up match point and sealed the win with a powerful kill from the left wing.
Bedaña, Omipon, and Bustamante each finished with eight points for Perpetual, which has now suffered three straight losses after a hot 6–0 start, dropping to 7–4 in the standings.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
