Vanessa Sarie (right) delivers a kill for Letran. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Judiel Nitura may not have the same kind of celebrity status her sister has. But she may have at least one thing better: Her team is in the Finals, fueled by Nitura’s vision of winning the championship this time around.
The Letran Lady Knights moved closer to their dream finish after they swept the Arellano Lady Chiefs, 30-28, 25-12, 25-21, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball Final Four.
“This season, my mind and body are prepared to do everything right. Our goal is to win the championships and we’re now here,” said Nitura after dropping 15 attacks for a game-high 17 points that also featured two blocks.
Nitura wasn’t pleased with last season’s finish, where the Lady Knights got beaten up by the three-time champions College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the Finals.
“We will be ready to face all the challenges that will come our way. Compared to last season, I have taught myself to relax and just be myself even in the face of mounting pressure,” said Nitura. The younger sister of UAAP Rookie of the Year Adamson superstar Shaina.
The younger Nitura may have to shoulder a heavier load this time, however.
Talented freshmen
Gone are the seniors from last year’s souped-up lineup, and Letran has relied a lot on a squadron of freshmen that brought them to a second-best finish after the 18-game elimination phase.
Rookie Vanessa Sarie pummeled the Arellano side of the floor at Filoil Arena in San Juan with 15 kills while Gia Maquilang had a stirring all-around performance of 13 points, 15 receptions, seven digs, three blocks and an ace.
Natalie Estreller orchestrated Letran’s offense with 16 excellent sets as the Lady Knights set a duel with the Lady Blazers, who dumped No. 4 Mapua in the other Final Four encounter.
Game 1 of their best-of-three series is on Sunday.
“If we want to change the story, we have to change the culture. We should be able to buy into that change and it’s never easy. We accepted it and we’re now back in the Finals,” said Letran coach Oliver Almadro.
The Lady Chiefs were fierce in the opening set, where they led by as many as four prior to letting Letran charge back and take control. Arellano even fought back when Letran made its charge.
But Maquilang and Nitura then rose to the occasion to allow Letran to grab the marathon set.
That seemed to deflate the Lady Chiefs, who were nowhere near their fiery form there.
That allowed Letran to take command of the match.
Laika Tudlasan delivered 13 attacks and Marianne Padillon added seven for the Lady Chiefs, who mounted a fightback in the third set only to let the opportunity slip away.
Errors by Sam Tiratira, Catherine Domasig and Padillon proved critical for the Lady Chiefs as Letran capitalized with timely hits on the other end.
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The Lady Knights simply watched their opponents crumble after Tudlasan’s final attack error sailed beyond the baseline at match point. INQ
