Volleyball: Letran survives 5-set marathon vs. NU, forces decider for V-League finals spot

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran overcame National University in a five-set war to send their semifinal series in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge to a deciding Game 3.

The Knights emerged triumphant, 22–25, 25–23, 29–27, 13–25, 20–18, after a two-hour, 11-minute marathon in Game 2 on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Letran had to recover from a huge loss in the fourth set and built a 9-6 lead in the decider behind back-to-back kills from Vince Himzon.

Paulo Lopez extended Letran’s lead to four, 11–7, with two straight spikes of his own, further energizing the Knights as they held off NU’s late charge to extend the decider and the match.

A quick kill from Himzon, followed by an attack error from Choi Diao, eventually sealed the Knights’ stunning victory.

“Parehas lang ‘yung sistema, magkakapaan talaga ‘yan. Siguro pagdating lang sa pressure game, mas lumabas ‘yung pagkabeterano ng Letran kasi mostly second-year, third-year ‘tong mga ‘to,” said head coach Jessie Lopez.

“Tinuruan ko lang din ‘yung mga batang mag-adjust kasi volleyball is a game of adjustments. ‘Tong Game 2, hindi namin momentum ‘to eh, kanilang momentum ‘to, at least naagaw namin. Sana magtuluy-tuloy hanggang bukas,” Lopez added.

Jasper Afgao came off the bench to put up 22 points on 20 kills and two blocks, along with three digs and 12 excellent receptions.

Dave Lardizabal also came through with 23 kills, repeatedly providing timely hits to keep the Knights afloat, while Himzon added 12 points, including the crucial kills in the endgame.

The two squads battled for momentum in the opening set before Letran denied RK Medino a chance to put NU ahead, taking a 22–21 lead and forcing coach Dante Alinsunurin to call a timeout.

A perfect pass from Luke Macatangay, however, set up a bounce-back kill from Medino. From there, the outside hitter and Obed Mukaba combined to lead the Bulldogs on a 4–0 finishing run and take the opening set.

The second set was just as tightly contested, but the Knights pushed ahead by taking a set-point advantage behind blocks from Himzon and Lardizabal.

Two straight points from the Bulldogs, including a roller from Macatangay, pulled NU within one. However, a service error from Yuan Mendoza handed Letran the set and the equalizer.

NU also got a match-high 23 points from Jade Disquitado, while Macatangay and Choi Diao added 14 markers apiece. However, the Bulldogs’ untimely errors, which totaled 26, ultimately forced them into another match for a spot in the Finals.