Dave Lardizabal continued to shine in his new role this year, helping Colegio de San Juan de Letran pull off a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 win against Lyceum of the Philippines University in the NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the EAC Gym in Manila.
Lardizabal, converted from a middle blocker last year to an opposite spiker this season, led the rout with 16 points while Vince Himzon and Maximuz Lopez chipped in 14 markers each. Bembem Bautista was offensively quiet with only eight points, but made his presence felt in other department with six digs and eight receptions to help the cause.
The win allowed the Knights to snap out of their two-game slump and improve to 6-5 in Group B while the Pirates fell to a 2-10 card despite a brave stand in Set 3.
Jun Edang pulled the Pirates to within one in the third frame with a soaring back-row attack, 19-18. However, Lardizabal converted an off-speed kill and then completed an emphatic combination play to kill LPU's momentum and give Letran a 22-19 cushion.
LPU still tried to retaliate, but a service error from the Pirates and another combination kill from Lardizabal sealed the straight-sets romp for the Knights, who were coming off a pair of losses to Benilde and EAC.
Edang led LPU in the loss with 11 points while Charles Segui poured in 10 markers, five digs, and seven receptions.
Letran will still have two group stage assignments as it takes on defending champion Arellano University on Friday before facing rival San Beda University on Sunday.
LPU, meanwhile, will slug it out against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday before the play-in phase.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
