(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11:30 a.m.- UPHSD vs EAC (men)
2 p.m.- CSB vs Letran (women)
Letran outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-15, 25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 15-11, on Wednesday, May 15, to complete its improbable run to the finals in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Judiel Nitura came through in the deciding fifth set and finished with 23 points while Gia Maquilang scattered 20 hits as the Lady Knights booked a spot to the best-of-three finals for the first time since making it that far 12 years ago.
There, the Dominican school will face three-peat-seeking College of St. Benilde, which swept the elimination round in nine games to claim the first finals spot.
Game One is slated Sunday, Game Two May 26 while a decider, if necessary, June 1.
“We didn’t expect this, but I’m happy with these kids. I said kids because they all really want to learn,” said an ecstatic Letran coach Oliver Almadro.
Letran captain Lara Silva was also spectacular in her own way, presiding over her team’s floor defense with a massive 40-dig effort that drew praises from her mentor.
“Kaya nga siya captain,” said Almadro of her feisty libero.
It was a heartbreaker for the Lady Pirates, who have fought back from two sets down and were on their way to stealing the match and advancing to the finals for the second season in a row when they led, 11-8.
It turned out the beginning of the end as they couldn’t score from there as Letran strung together six straight points to pull off the stunner.
In the men’s section, Emilio Aguinaldo College walloped Letran, 30-28, 25-15, 19-25, 28-26, to catch the last bus to the best-of-three finale against a four-peat-seeking University of Perpetual Help.
Jan Ruther Abor and John Michael Paglaon took turns and finished with 24 and 20 points, respectively, while Marvin Romero chipped in 18 hits as the Generals, the second seeds, earned a shot at their first crown since winning it all nine years ago.
Earlier, UPHSD downed Arellano U, 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 18-16, to rule the girls’ junior high school division.
