BY ABBY TORALBA
LETRAN outlasted Lyceum yesterday 25-15, 25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 15-11 to complete its improbable run to the finals of the 99th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Judiel Nitura took over in the deciding fifth set and finished with 23 points while Gia Maquilang added 20 hits as the Lady Knights gained a spot in the best-of-3 Big Dance for the first time in 12 years.
The Intramuros-based belles will take on reigning two-time champion College of St. Benilde, which swept the eliminations to advance outright to the finals,
Game 1 is slated Sunday, May 19, while the second tiff will be on May 26. A decider, if necessary, is set 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 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 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 to be the beginning of the end as they failed to score from there while Letran strung together six straight points to pull off the stunner.
In men’s action, 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 four-peat-seeking Perpetual Help.
Jan Ruther Abor and John Michael Paglaon 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.
