Colegio de San Juan de Letran pulled off an upset against top-seeded De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-17, 25-23, 25-23, on Sunday in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
After dominating the first set, the Knights trailed 21-17 in the second set before pulling off a comeback in the said frame. Bembem Bautista, Felix Bermido, and Lou Ambrocio then tied the set for Letran before Christian Aguilar stopped the dry spell for the Blazers.
A cross-court attack from Bermido again tied the set but Vince Himzon then handed the lead to Letran. A service error from the Knights tied the set anew but Bautista scored back-to-back to claim the set.
The third set was a tight one as the two teams were tied at 23 but Bautista's attacks again sealed the victory for the Knights.
Letran has won four straight matches since May 21 and head coach Brian Esquibel said it gave them the momentum heading to the semis.
"Sabi ko sa kanila wag sila mawawalan ng pag-asa, kapitan natin 'yung number four. 'Yung pangarap nating mag-semis, natupad naman after winning three straight games and this coming match natin, alam natin kung paano sila maglaro, ang kailangan lang natin ibigay natin ang best natin and i-enjoy natin ang gagawin natin inside the court," Esquibel said.
Bautista led the Knights in the upset with 17 points from 15 attacks and two blocks, while Vince Himzon had 12 points as John Wayne Araño had 17 out of Letran's 20 excellent sets.
John Austero, meanwhile, top-scored Benilde with 11 points, as usual scorers Rocky Motol and James Harold Marasigan were limited to eight points. Mike Balbacal and Raymark Betco also had eight points apiece.
Game 2 of the NCAA Final Four will be held on Friday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
