Colegio de San Juan de Letran banked on its net defense to shut down Jose Rizal University in straight sets, 25-21, 25-17, 25-17, and pick up its most convincing win in the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“Actually ngayon ko lang nakita ‘yung ganitong laro ng mga players after doon sa straight loss namin [against Arellano],” Letran head coach Bryan Esquibel said.
“Ngayon, kung ano ‘yung prinactice namin at kung paano namin pinaghandaan ‘yung JRU, at least na-stop namin mga spikers nila sa tulong ng blockers namin,” he added.
The Knights’ stifling net defense spelled the biggest difference, collecting nine kill blocks to JRU’s two. The former also did not allow any Heavy Bomber inside the double-digit threshold in the match that lasted for 68 minutes.
Nonetheless, Letran’s attacking played a huge part in the straight-set conquest. Brylle Kint Novo and Michael Doria unfurled all but one of their game-high 11-point outings from that department.
Mhel Gabuyo supplemented eight markers, while Christopher Cistina and Angel Canzana chimed in six points apiece. Jaypaul Tabbada anchored above the net with three of his four markers coming from blocks.
The Knights rose to 2-5 while spoiling the campaign finale of their victims and dragging them down to 1-8.
JRU was led by Matthew Miguel in scoring with nine. Kenneth Daynata managed eight markers in a sour end to their forgettable campaign.
Yhe Knights can still leave an impact in the league and salvage a measure of pride for their wasted season if they deny Perpetual an outright Finals berth on Thursday, February 13, at the same venue.
