Volleyball: NU turns back Letran, nears V-League Finals berth
MANILA — National University is one win away from a return trip to the V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals after defeating Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25–19, 25–14, 25–23, in Game 1 of their semifinals series on Wednesday at the FilOil Center.
The Knights handed the Bulldogs one of their two losses in the preliminary rounds but the reigning UAAP champions upped their level in the semis.
“Siguro ‘yung difference is pumunta kami rito na gusto naming manalo talaga. Nung unang nakalaban namin sila, naglaro lang kami, kasi nga ‘yung coach doon is part rin ng coaching staff namin. Pero kanina, kahit wala ‘yung mga kuya nila, gusto talaga nilang makuha ‘yung top 2 para sa Spikers’ Turf,” said long-time head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
NU’s Jade Disquitado soars for an attack against Letran in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 30, 2026 at the FilOil Center in San Juan. PVL MediaJade Disquitado paced the Bulldogs with 18 points, built on 16 attacks and two of the squad’s 13 blocks.
Obed Mukaba was solid at the net, accounting for four blocks and four kills, while also adding the team’s lone service ace for nine points. Luke Macatangay and RK Medino chipped in 10 and 12 points, respectively.
The Bulldogs made their intentions known from the get-go, leaning on their net defense to force the Knights into second-guessing their attacks.
It eventually worked for NU in the first two sets, as Greg Ancheta found his scoring options in Macatangay and Disquitado.
With Jessie Lopez, a longtime deputy to Alinsunurin on the NU coaching staff, now at the helm of Letran, the Knights also found some success at the net by employing a similar system.
However, Letran could not muster enough energy or offense to overcome its deficits, allowing the Bulldogs to cruise to a 2–0 lead.
The Knights showed more fight in the third set, but NU held firm down the stretch to secure the straight-set victory.
Letran was paced by captain Dave Lardizabal with 17 points, but he was the lone Knight to finish in double figures.
NU will try to complete the sweep on Saturday, October 3, at 10 a.m. and return to the Finals for the second time since the league’s return in 2022.