Latest news with #NCAAColegiodeSanJuandeLetran
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran's Wayne Araño joins list of NCAA's top setters
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Wayne Araño joined the list of the NCAA's top players after being recognized as the Best Setter of the Season 100 men's volleyball tournament. Araño became a crucial piece of Letran's campaign, placing second in the setting category with an average of 5.75 by set. He also became the league's second best server at the end of the elimination round. However, the individual recognition was an unexpected one for the second-year Knight. "Siguro n'ung una parang hindi ko po talaga ine-expect ang award na 'to gawa ng si Adi [Villados] from national team siya, sobrang daming experience. Ako from NCAA, Spikers Turf, 'yun lang na-experience ko. Sobrang overwhelming po ng award na 'to," said Araño, who dedicated the award to his family in Canada and his teammates. Letran may have fallen to Arellano University in the finals, but Araño promised they will work hard to be better next season. "Magdo-double time po kami sa training namin, pipilitin namin mag-bond as one. 'Yung lock namin sa first ball, sa blockings, pagtatrabahahun namin para next season handa na kami," Araño added. Aside from Araño, his teammate Vince Himzon was named as one of the league's best middle blockers this season. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran win vs top-seeded Benilde a big confidence booster for Knights in finals, says Bembem Bautista
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran is heading to the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball finals armed with confidence, especially after taking down twice-to-beat De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the tournament's Final Four. The Knights defeated the Blazers in their do-or-die match in the semifinals last Friday and will go against Arellano University in the best-of-three finals which will start on Sunday. Bembem Bautista, one of the leaders of Letran's campaign, said he is happy with how they reached the finals. "Parang sobrang saya. 'Yung pinagtiyagaan namin na training halos araw-araw sa isang taon, may bunga na. Nandito kami ngayon sa finals," Bautista told GMA Integrated News. "Natalo namin ang number one which is twice-to-beat pa [kaya] parang napakataas na ng confidence namin. Napakasaya ng team kaya parang na-boost ang energy namin." During the said match against Benilde, Bautista had 27 points which he said was something he did not expect. "Ang saya ng ganoon na nung fourth set, nakagawa ako ng ganoong puntos and nakarating kami sa finals," Bautista added. With a chance to claim the title for the first time after 16 years, Bautista said that the Intramuors-based squad will be fearless heading into the finals. "Depende sa makakalaban kung pupuksain ako, eh di siyempre hindi naman kami magpapatalo. Walang Letranistang takot," he said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
06-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran topples Benilde, returns to NCAA men's volleyball finals after 15 seasons
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran toppled twice-to-beat De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-20, in the do-or-die match of the NCAA men's volleyball Final Four to return to the finals after 15 seasons. The Knights last appeared in the finals in Season 85 in 2009 when they completed a three-peat. After two tight sets, the Intramuros-based squad dominated the Blazers, leading as much as 21-9 in the third set before claiming the said frame. In the third set alone, the Knights had 14 attacks against Benilde's nine points, while the former only had four errors against the latter's seven. In the fourth set, Letran had an early 8-3 lead before Benilde caught up, 11-9. The Blazers inched closer, 18-17, but Vince Himzon ignited Letran's late rally to claim the victory. Rocky Roy Motol's attack went outside to hand Letran a three-point advantage but a Jacob Herrera attack gave a glimmer of hope for Benilde. Bembem Bautista then scored back-to-back for Letran but a running attack from John Austero stopped the bleeding for Benilde. Bautista then closed the match for Letran as he made the Knights' final three points en route to his 27-point eruption. "Very overwhelming 'yung nangyari kasi 'yung kalaban natin talagang dinominate nila ang first and second round. Kami bilang challenger, sabi ko sa mga bata, hindi dapat matapos ang Season 100 nang wala tayong napatunayan," Letran head coach Brian Esquibel said in the broadcast. Bautista had 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Vince Himzon had 18 points as the Knights secured the first finals spot. Mike Balbacal and Raymark Betco had 15 points apiece, while Motol had 13 points, with James Marasigan adding 10 points for the Blazers. Letran will face the winner of the do-or-die match between the twice-to-beat Mapua Cardinals and the Arellano Chiefs. Game 1 of the finals will be on Sunday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran sweeps top-seeded Benilde, forces do-or-die in NCAA Final Four
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran pulled off an upset against top-seeded De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-17, 25-23, 25-23, on Sunday in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. Bembem Bautista led the Knights in the upset with 17 points from 15 attacks and two blocks, while Vince Himzon had 12 points. John Austero, meanwhile, top-scored Benilde with 11 points. Game 2 of the NCAA Final Four will be held on Friday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran Lady Knights sweep JRU to book Final Four ticket
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran officially booked a ticket to the Final Four after sweeping Jose Rizal University, 25-14, 25-20, 25-12, on Sunday in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. The victory also handed the Lady Knights (14-3) a twice-to-beat advantage, along with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (14-2). For head coach Oliver Almadro, however, reaching the Final Four is just one step towards the fulfillment of a dream. "Happy for that feat na two years na nakaabot kami sa Final Four is a blessing. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to be in the Final Four, but of course hindi siya natatapos sa pagiging Final Four. We have to put that goal into our dream, kumbaga dream namin mag-champion pero we have to put that goal na makalagpas muna sa semifinals," Almadro told GMA News Online. Judiel Nitura led the offense for the Intramuros crew with 17 points, all from attacks, while Vanessa Sarie had 13 points to go with five receptions. Nicole Deala top-scored the Lady Bombers with seven points as they wrapped the season with three wins and 15 losses. Letran, however, will still have to play Mapua University on Wednesday to determine its postseason position. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
