Letran showed poise in the deciding set as it turned back San Beda, 21-25, 25-20, 25-15, 23-25, 15-9, Wednesday in NCAA women’s volleyball at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Lady Knights pulled away from a 7-4 lead and banked on the Lady Red Spikers’ erratic plays including an attack error from Maxinne Tayag that sealed their first victory.
The win also snapped Letran’s three-game losing spell while pushing San Beda further deeper to the cellar with their fourth straight defeat.
Shereena Urmeneta pumped in 16 points including 12 from the attack line, while Daisy Melendres and Julienne Castro added 12 points apiece to spearhead Letran’s assault.
The Lady Knights squandered a 17-12 fourth-set victory after the Lady Red Spikers rallied with 10 straight points to grab the 22-17 lead.
Letran attempted some defensive strategies to halt San Beda, but the Lady Red Spikers were determined to bring the match into a decider.
But it proved to be San Beda’s last stand as it ran out of gas when it mattered most.
Chamberlaine Cunada also stepped up with 11 points for Letran, which leaned on its net defense by posting 10 blocks – three each from Edma Musngi and Melendres.
The Lady Knights also outplayed the Lady Red Spikers on attacks, 43-39.
Tayag scored 14 points while Patricia Manalac finished with 12 points in a losing effort for San Beda.