After their Game 2 loss in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball finals, the Letran Lady Knights and coaching staff understood that taking down Benilde's dynasty would require resiliency and collective effort.
That meant ensuring that every player on the roster was ready to step up the moment their number was called.
In Game 3, sophomore star Nicen Colendra rose to the moment when it mattered most, providing an explosive lift off the bench that changed the entire rhythm of the match.
She dropped 23 points to power Letran to a 15-25, 25-17, 26-24, 17-25, 15-12 championship victory that ended the school's 28-year title drought and allowed the Lady Knights to avenge their previous two Finals losses to the Lady Blazers.
While the Finals MVP award eventually went to Judiel Nitura, the veteran opposite hitter said Colendra also deserved credit for providing life when the Lady Knights needed it most.
"Hindi ako maglulugmok dahil lang wala ako sa loob. Credits din sa bata, si Nicen, dahil nag-show up talaga siya. Sobrang saya namin dahil lahat naging buo," Nitura said.
"Okay lang sa akin kasi syempre, hindi talaga naging okay dahil nache-check ako ng blockers ng Benilde so ‘yung pagpasok niya, doon talaga bumuga e. Alam kong kaya naman ni Nicen pero syempre, sabi ni Aleksi na kailangan ready pa rin ako."
Nitura and Colendra were both key cogs in their historic Finals run.
Nitura did the heavy lifting in Game 1, posting 21 points, including a huge service ace that gave the Lady Knights a crucial 13-11 lead in Set 5 en route to the victory.
Nitura, though, was limited to just nine markers in Game 2 as the Lady Blazers cruised to a dominant three-set romp to equalize the series and keep their five-peat dream alive.
Nitura was once again heavily guarded in Game 3, prompting coaches Mayeth Carolino and Aleksi Lahteenmaki to pluck Colendra off the bench to turn things around.
She did not disappoint, dropping five points in the crucial Set 5, highlighted by a drop ball from the opposite side that sent Letran to match point at 14-12, as Joralyn Pananging closed it out with an ace.
Colendra's performance made Nitura believe that Letran's future is bright, as Vanessa Sarie, Gia Maquilang, Leonilyn Padilla, and Hizki Flores are all expected to return next year for their title defense.
"Abangan n'yo pa kasi pupukpukin pa ‘yang mga ‘yan at marami pang mag-i-improve at syempre hindi papayag na hanggang isang championship lang," Nitura added.
—JKC, GMA News
