Colegio de San Juan de Letran made the necessary adjustments to flip the script against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in five sets, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-10, and extend its streak in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Knights fielded seldom-used setter Moi Sumagaysay from the third to the fifth set and the rookie delivered off the bench with 20 excellent sets, helping Letran score its third win in a row for a 9-5 card.
The Stags absorbed their back-to-back losses to drop to 4-10.
"Sumunod lang naman po kami sa sinasabi ng coaches namin and mas ginanahan po namin 'yung laro namin. Kumbaga mas eager kaming manalo para mabawi namin 'yung first two sets," the 19-year-old Sumagaysay told GMA News Online.
[We just followed what our coaches told us and we had more energy in our play. We were more eager to win and get back for the first two sets.]
With the youngster Sumagaysay orchestrating the offense in the last three frames, five Knights scored in double digits led by the 23 points of middle blocker Dave Lardizabal who posted five blocks in the five-set comeback.
Another middle blocker in Vince Himzon poured in 19 points while Bembem Bautista and Christer Ambrocio chipped in 18 and 15 markers with the former also grabbing seven digs and 17 receptions. Felix Bermido chimed in with 12 points.
"Prepared naman po ako lagi kasi sabi naman po ng coaches na dapat laging ready kasi every time na may nawawalang isa dapat may kapalit."
[We're always prepared, our coaches told us to always be ready because every time someone isn't playing well, there has to be another to take their place.]
Sumagaysay and Lardizabal displayed connection in the fifth with the latter completing back-to-back running attacks that saw the Knights taking a crucial 9-5 lead. But the Stags retaliated with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to one.
Letran then got its act together by unleashing three straight points capped by a Lardizabal ace to make it a 12-8 cushion before Bautista brought them to match point on his own kill, 14-10.
Letran then mounted a triple block against Kyle Villamor as Himzon, Bautista, and Bermido denied the San Sebastian gunner to complete the come-from-behind victory.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
