Reymark Betco detonated for 37 points, helping De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde stun Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-13, in Game 1 of their NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball Final Four on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The sophomore opposite spiker shone as they erased a two-point deficit in the crucial Set 5 to turn back the Knights and move a win away from their first finals appearance in seven years.
The last time Benilde made it to the finals was in 2019, when the Blazers faced eventual champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the Season 94 best-of-three finals series.
Rocky Motol was also huge as he poured in 21 points together with a whopping 40 excellent receptions while Mike Balbacal and Dexter Graniada chipped in 14 and 10 markers each.
'Nu'ng nagchange court ng fifth set, parang pasuko na kami. Sabi nga ni coach, ilaban lang nang ilaban hanggang sa makakuha kami ng momentum," Betco told GMA News Online.
"Hindi namin in-expect na aabot kami sa gano'ng panalo."
(When we changed courts in the fifth set, it was like we were ready to give up. Like coach said, just fight and fight until you can build some momentum... We didn't expect this kind of win.)
Letran pulled off a major comeback in Set 4 with substitute middle blocker John Santiagudo providing the spark that allowed the Knights to extend the game into Set 5.
The Knights drew from that gutsy fightback in the deciding frame with Vince Himzon denying Motol to give Letran a slim 8-6 cushion before the change-over.
Another Himzon quick play and a Bembem Bautista attack sent Letran to a much-needed 10-8 cushion before Betco misfired on his service, allowing the Knights to seize a 13-11 advantage.
But the Blazers refused to back down, unleashing a decisive 4–0 run behind the steady serving of Graniada. His ace pushed the Taft-based squad to match point at 14–13, and another powerful serve set up Balbacal for the finishing tip that sealed the victory for Benilde.
Benilde is now out to finish off the series on Friday as the Blazers look to avenge their Final Four loss to the same team last season.
"Bawing-bawi kami sa kanila pero hindi naman sa may galit kami, pero gusto lang namin makuha 'to kasi pangarap namin na mag-Finals."
(We really got even with them but not because there were hard feelings, but we just really want to get this win because of our dream to make the Finals.)
For Letran, Himzon dazzled with 20 points anchored on 15 attacks and five blocks while Bautista and Dave Lardizabal chimed in with 17 and 16 markers apiece.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
