ACHING to end a 26-year title drought, the Letran Lady Knights are hard-pressed to give their all against the four-peat seeking College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the Big Dance of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Knights forged a championship showdown anew with the Lady Blazers as the two squads meet in Game 1 of the best-of-3 tiff on Sunday, June 8, at The Arena in San Juan.
Veterans Lara Silva and Judiel Nitura expressed hunger to finally get over the hump after their semifinals victory against the gritty Arellano Lady Chiefs last Tuesday.
Playing as libero last year, Silva and opposite hitter Nitura and the rest of Letran yielded to CSB which was led by then-aces Cloanne Mondonedo, Mich Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Jade Gentapa.
“Siguro, first, championship. Siguro, iyan po iyong gusto kong maging legacy ng team ngayon,” skipper Silva said.
Nitura, for her part, added: “Kasi po naka-prepare na rin po iyong mind and body ko na gawin po nang maayos lahat ng pinapagawa sa amin which is maglead lang din ako para sa teammates ko and kung ano pa iyong ma-co-contribute ko para sa team.
“Iyon nga, iyong goal ko is mag-best opposite spiker and mag-champion kami which is andoon na kami kailangan lang namin maging 100 percent and gawin ng tama iyong preparations namin para sa susunod na laban kakayanin namin kung ano mang challenges na ibigay sa amin ni Lord.”
Rookie Vanessa Sarie, who will be making her first finals appearance in the grand old league, reiterated that she’s also ready to give her A-Game for the Intramuros-based crew and help Letran reach the Promised Land.
“Iyong mindset ko lang po talaga is ibigay ko iyong best ko and kung ano iyong matutulong ko sa team. Iyon po, abangan po kami na mas mag-iimprove kami,” Sarie, who is expected to be one of the pivotal player for the Lady Knights, said.
For Almadro, the Letran community’s support will come in handy.
“Nothing is impossible as long as the community will support and pray for us, rally for us. We hear you and pipilitin po namin, kung hanggang saan namin magagawa,” he said.
“Ang importante lang sa amin is we have to do good, we will not give up, and we will reap at the right time.”
