Lady Knights regain throne

MANILA, Philippines — The long wait for an NCAA crown is over for the Lady Knights.

It came via an epic 15-25, 25-17, 26-24, 17-25, 15-12 victory by Letran over St. Benilde yesterday as the former sealed its first NCAA women’s volleyball title in 27 years at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

It was the ninth crown overall for the pontifical school. But this one was probably the sweetest as it came almost three decades after its back-to-back reign in 1999.
Fittingly, the one who orchestrated it was the same person who helped the school win its last crown when she was still a player – Letran coach Mayeth Carolino.

“We’ve been praying for this and we really wanted to become champion since Day One,” said the rookie coach.

It ended the four-year reign of the Lady Blazers, who didn’t go down without a fight and gave it all by forcing a fifth and deciding set.

But in the end, it was Letran which came through with the biggest point in the end including that laser-like service ace by Joralyn Panangin that appeared to have frozen CSB up in sealing the title.

Verenicce Colendra came out of nowhere and unleashed a magical 23-point effort including some in the deciding frame that helped the Lady Knights seal the deal.

Judiel Nitura was eventually named Finals MVP but none shone brighter than Colendra in this moment of triumph.