Saints and Lattes-Letran mustered all its strength to hand Davies Paint-Adamson its first loss via a stunning reverse sweep 20-25, 26-28, 25-16, 25-17, 15-12, and staying alive in the battle for Top Two in Pool C of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, Sunday at the Paco Arena.
The Knights forged a tie for the second spot with the Soaring Falcons with identical 3-1 records heading into their respective final game in their bracket.
Letran will face the winless Coast Guard on December 1, while Adamson will meet unbeaten Cignal next Sunday.
“Actually ginising ko sila nung third set eh. Sabi ko hindi pwedeng ganito yung lalaruin natin kasi pinaghandaan natin yang Adamson… nagrespond naman sila nung third and fourth kaya maganda yung momentum na napapunta sa amin,” said Knights head coach Brian Esquibel.
Bounce back was the theme all game long for Letran, who after winning the third and fourth sets, fell 9-5 in the fifth frame.
However, the Knights were able to turn their fortunes anew through the efforts of Ned Pacquing before Derrick Bautista and Steven Sta. Maria connived in the final kick for the win.
Sta. Maria’s final attack was initially called out but Esquibel challenged it for block touch, and after the review, jubilation occurred for Letran as it was successful, ending the game in two hours and eight minutes.
Vince Himzon delivered 19 points, Sta. Maria added 18, while Pacquing and Bautista contributed 16 and 14 points with the latter also tallying 15 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons relied on the quartet of Marc Paulino (18 points), Jude Aguilar (16), Joel Menor (14), and Leo Coguimbal (10).
