Volleyball: Letran ousts San Beda from contention in Unity Cup

MANILA — Letran boosted its playoff hopes in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Friday after defeating San Beda University, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.     

The Lady Knights’ win also eliminated San Beda from contention in Pool A of the competition.

Judiel Nitura sparked the Lady Knights’ comeback from three points down in the middle of the third frame, powering a decisive 7-0 blitz to regain control on their way to their second win in three games.

Letran moved up to solo second behind defending champion National University (3-0), which is already through to the next stage.

Nitura scored seven of her 11 points in the third set while Kaizah Huyno and Gia Maquilang contributed eight markers each for the reigning NCAA champions, who can book the last playoffs seat in the group with a win over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Sunday.

“Sobrang laki ng panalo na ito for us kasi working kami as a team. Marami kaming bago and maraming nawalang seniors sa amin. So, kailangan din naming i-work talaga ang sarili namin and ‘yung kabuuan ng team,” Nitura said.

Letran trailed the Lady Red Spikers, 16-19, in the third frame after a Katrina Dela Cruz hit.

Maquilang answered with a kill followed by back-to-back points by Nitura and consecutive kill blocks by Huyno. Nitura punctuated the Lady Knights’ barrage with two straight spikes for a 23-19 advantage.

A 1-2 play by setter Jasmine Monte quelled Letran’s rampage before Nitura pushed her team at match point with an offspeed hit.

San Beda saved a matchpoint on an overcooked serve by Nitura but Maquilang sealed it for the Lady Knights with a thunderous spike.

The Lady Red Spikers absorbed a third defeat in as many outings, knocking them out of the race for a spot in the next phase of the tournament.

Janelle Bachar led San Beda with 12 points, all from attacks.

Daisy Cagas had nine markers while Dela Cruz and Khim Culanay added six each for the Lady Red Spikers, who gave Letran 28 free points off errors.   

San Beda will close its campaign against Arellano University on Sunday.   

In the second game, College of Saint Benilde turned back Jose Rizal University, 28-26, 25-16, 18-25, 25-22, for its first win to stay in the thick of the race for the last playoffs berth in Pool B.

Camila Bartolome led the way with 18 points on 14 kills, three kill blocks and an ace as the Lady Blazers bounced back from an opening game loss to second round-bound University of Santo Tomas.

Mhonniecka Soliven added 13 points on eight attacks, three kill blocks and two aces while Mary Grace Borromeo and Krystal Oba-ob added 11 and eight markers, respectively, for CSB.

“Ang naging winning factor namin is nag-push kami kahit na parang off ang game ng lahat today, nag-push pa rin kami. And ang galing din kasi nag-step up ang rookie namin na middle blocker na si Oba-ob and si Soliven din,” Bartolome said.

The Lady Blazers will face Mapua University (1-1) on Sunday in a virtual do-or-die match to advance into the next round.

The Lady Bombers absorbed a second straight defeat in as many games and kissed their playoffs hopes goodbye.

Nicole Daela finished with a game-high 21 points built on 19 spikes and two aces while Czarina Ramos scored 14 in a lost cause for JRU.