Colegio de San Juan de Letran made quick work of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21, to continue its resurgence in NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The Knights, who lost three of their last five games before beating Jose Rizal University in their previous match, averted a collapse early in Set 3 to complete the sweep and improve to 4-3 in Group A.
Letran also sent San Sebastian reeling to its third straight loss after winning three of its first five outings as the Stags fell to 3-5 in Group A.
Bembem Bautista gave Letran a 10-7 cushion early in the third frame, but the Stags quickly showed their fire when Zafrulla Sali unleashed a bullet from the left wing to bring his team to a 15-13 lead.
Veterans Vince Himzon and Bautista, though, restored order on their side by fueling a 4-2 run that knotted the two teams at 17-all.
Christer Lou Ambrocio then provided the spark down the stretch, crossing on his kill from the left before Dave Lardizabal scored back-to-back points, including a denial on Rheinmart Alba that sent the Knights to a 22-19 lead.
Lardizabal also shone at the service deck by unloading an ace that allowed Letran to clinch the match point, 24-20, as Himzon sealed it with a no-look quick attack.
Lardizabal led the offense with 17 points while Bautista and Himzon churned out 14 and 13 points, respectively, as last year's finalists are starting to show the same form that brought them to reach the championship round against eventual champion Arellano University last year.
Senior outside spiker Kyle Villamor paced the Stags with 13 points laced with eight receptions.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
