Letran makes presence felt
The season has just started and it’s a long way to go
Letran College bounced back from an opening-set loss and dominated Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 22-25, 25-10, 25-18, 25-13, to start its Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s volleyball campaign on a high note yesterday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Chamberlaine Cunada led the Lady Knights with 24 points built on 19 attacks, three service aces and two blocks aside from 17 digs and three excellent receptions.
Dane Ohya contributed 15 markers while Marie Simborio chipped in six points and 12 excellent sets.
“I understand why we lost the first set because we are made up of rookies and second year players,” Letran head coach Michael Inoferio said.
“Of course, they would get tense inside the court and I think the crowd also affected their plays.”
After dropping the first set 22-25, the Lady Knights got their composure back and tied the game after coasting to a 25-10 victory in the second frame.
Letran took the lead with an impressive third-set performance, 25-18, and continued its solid game in the fourth, erecting a 20-7 lead on back-to-back aces by Simborio.
The wards of coach Melchor Santos tried to mount a comeback as the
Lady Generals scored four straight points highlighted by Krizzia Reyes’ two straight attacks to trim the lead to 13-23 but the second unit of the Lady Knights ended EAC’s mini-run with back-to-back hits capped by a block of Jennifer Omapas on Reyes, 25-13, to seal their victory.
“The season has just started and it’s a long way to go,” Inoferio said.
“But from this win, maybe we can get to that dream of making it to the Final Four this season.”
The Lady Generals dropped their season debut and were led by Cathrin Almazan’s 13 points, the only EAC player in double figures in scoring.