Letran survives Mapua
LETRAN reasserted its mastery of Lyceum of the Philippines University, 21-10, 16-21, 15-13, to complete a women’s three-peat in the NCAA beach volleyball tournament in Subic.
Gia Maquilang and Lara Mae Silva fended off a last-gasp rally by the Lady Pirates’ Monna Bañares and Stacey Lopez to help the Lady Knights annex their fourth title overall.
Tying University of Perpetual Help System Dalta as the second most successful program in the sport, Letran became the first school to win three straight championship since San Sebastian’s Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa registered a four-peat in 2017.
The Lady Pirates, who topped the eliminations with a 8-1 record, failed to avenge their defeat the Lady Knights early in the season.
San Beda’s Angel Habacon and Reyanne Cañete rebounded from a second set loss to defeat Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Alessandra Razonable and Cara Dayanan, 21-17, 12-21, 15-21, to secure a podium finish.
The Lady Red Spikers, who lost to the top-ranked Lady Pirates in the Final Four Friday, placed third after finishing second last season.
There is still something to celebrate for the Generals, who captured their first men’s title in six years.
EAC’s Paul Justine Say and John Ruther Abor upended
Benilde’s Leonard Jaboli and Kevin Ondevilla, 21-16, 21-16, in the Final.
It was the Generals’ third title overall and the first since the Joshua Miña-led squad won back-to-back in 2019.
Deposed men’s champion Perpetual took the bronze, overcoming a slow start to subdue San Beda, 13-21, 22-20, 15-4.
Arellano University took the juniors championship at the expense of EAC in a three-set thriller, 19-21, 21-13, 15-12. It was the Braves’ third crown overall.
Letran topped Mapua, 21-13, 21-15, for a third place finish.
