The Letran Lady Knights touched rarified air with a three-peat, the EAC Generals claimed their first title in six years, while the Arellano Braves obliterated the junior’s division– as the week-long #NCAA100 beach volleyball tournament came to a close on February 9, Sunday.
The outdoor competition, held at the SBMA Sand Court in Subic, Zambales, opened festivities last February 4 and ran until February 10.
The three-peat-seeking Colegio de San Juan Letran Lady Knights, repped by two-time MVP Gia Maquilang and Lara Mae Silva, downed the gutsy LPU Lady Pirates, 21-10, 16-21, 15-13, to win the coveted women’s beach volley crown for the third consecutive season.
"Thankful po ako kay Lord na binigyan nya ako ng opportunity para ma-showcase yung talent ko at maka-inspire ng mga bata. Thankful po ako sa teammates na laging nagtitiwala, at sa coaches na binigay kami sa beach volley para marepresent ang Letran," said Batuan, Bohol pride and back-to-back beach tilt MVP Gia Maquilang.
It was Letran’s fourth overall title in the outdoor tournament.
According to a report by Bea Micaller of GMA News Online, Letran’s title has beefed up their resume as one of only three NCAA teams to achieve the elusive three-peat in beach volleyball, joining the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
"Thank God, yung paghihirap ay nagbunga... para ito sa mga bata. Even nung Christmas hindi sila umuwi (due to) the practices na ini-schedule namin, so talagang yung sakripisyo nila, importante na nasuklian. The mission was to win the championship, nag-respond sila," Letran mentor and 'Coach of the Year' Mike Inoferio told GMA RTV News on Sunday.
The EAC Generals, meanwhile, swiftly took care of business during their lopsided bout against the Benilde Blazers, 21-16, 21-16, as they delivered EAC’s first men's outdoor volley gold since 2019, and third overall.
Bannered by MVP John Ruther Abor and Rookie of the Year Paul Justine Say, the Generals received little to no challenge as they swept the tournament with a 9-0 eliminations record before wiping out San Beda and DLS-CSB in the final four.
"Before going to championship po, pinagusapan namin yung gagawin naming strategy. Ini-scout namin yung semis nila. Then nilaro lang talaga namin yung sistema namin," EAC's John Abor said in an interview.
In the juniors division, Arellano Braves emerged on top following a thrilling three-setter against defending champion EAC, 19-21, 21-13, 15-12, on the backs of MVP John Olsen Robles and John Lester Calura.
"Hindi namin ine-expect itong ganitong championship, kasi defending champions din yung kalaban eh, so nilaksan lang namin yung loob namin, and tiwala sa sarili at sa coaches namin," said Ilonggo MVP John Robles.
Arellano University’s juniors team has now claimed their third juniors crown and their first since 2018.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND AWARDEES:
Men’s
Champion Emilio Aguinaldo College
1st Runners-Up De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
2nd Runner-Up University of Perpetual Help-System Dalta
MVP John Ruther Abor (EAC)
Coach of the Year Rod Palmero (EAC)
Rookie of the Year Paul Justine Say (EAC)
Freshman of the Year Ace Van Blanco (LPU)
Women’s
Champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1st Runners-Up Lyceum of the Philippines University
2nd Runner-Up San Beda University
MVP Gia Maquilang (Letran)
Coach of the Year Mike Inoferio (Letran)
Rookie of the Year Stacey Denise Lopez (LPU)
Freshman of the Year Cara Xia Dayanan (EAC)
Juniors
Champion Arellano University
1st Runners-Up Emilio Aguinaldo College
2nd Runner-Up Colegio de San Juan de Letran
MVP John Olsen Robles (Arellano)
Coach of the Year Marlo Estacio (Arellano)
Rookie of the Year James Paul Apdian (EAC)
(with reports from Ian Zane Esparaga and Karen Tolenada of GMA Regional TV and Synergy)
