Led by Daisy Melendres and Judiel Nitura, Colegio de San Juan de Letran secured a dominant opening weekend victory over archrival San Beda University, 25-20, 25-23, 28-26, in the NCAA Season 98 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Lady Red Spikers, despite trailing 1-12 early in the third set, fought back. But Letran maintained its composure and finished the game with back-to-back crucial attacks from Nitura.
Letran head coach Michael Inoferio praised his team’s resilience. He also highlighted the importance of winning even by a narrow margin.
“W is W. Kahit malayo o dikit ang score, ang importante panalo. But ang lesson dun sa malapit amg score, nakikita mo kung pano sila lumaban at kung paano nila dinipensahan yung lamang habang humahabol yung kalaban,” he said.
Daisy Melendres led the Lady Knights with 15 points built on eight attacks, five blocks, and five excellent digs. Nitura added eight points.
For the Lady Red Spikers, Kleiner Abraham finished with 10 points, while Chynna Castillo contributed nine excellent digs.
In the second match of the day, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA dominated Emilio Aguinaldo College with a 25-21, 26-24, 25-16 scoreline.
It was the Lady Altas in control right from the get-go, as they already got the first two sets of the match.
Then in set three, Perpetual fully blew the game wide open. They led by as much as nine, 25-16, after a Paula Aldea finisher to end the match.
Mary Rhose Dapol scored 17 points and six excellent receptions for Perpetual, while Marian Andal added 16 excellent digs.
Catherine Almazan, meanwhile, led the Lady Generals with 14 points built on 14 attacks and two blocks. Monna Banares also had a solid outing with 16 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
After the second day of the tournament, Letran and Perpetual both have a 1-0 record. On the other hand, San Beda and EAC have a 0-1 record.
