Colegio de San Juan de Letran reignited its semifinal bid with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 triumph over College of Saint Benilde in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday afternoon at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Taking lessons from a four-set loss to the still-unbeaten DLSU Green Spikers last August 23, the Knights showed newfound maturity and resiliency. Behind the steady performances of Dave Lardizabal and Bembem Bautista, Letran quickly bounced back from a sluggish opening set to secure a vital win in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Lardizabal powered the Knights with 21 points on 18 attacks and three blocks, while Bautista chipped in 18 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. With the victory, Letran improved to a 2-3 record, tying reigning UAAP champion National University for fifth place.
“Hindi kami tumitigil doon sa skills na pwede namin i-improve,” Knights head coach Brian Esquibel said.
"Natalo ‘man kami sa past games namin, pero yung improvement, nandoon palagi. Sinasabi ko nga sa kanila na huwag na huwag kayo mag-sstop kasi hindi natatapos ang volleyball sa isang game lang."
The fourth set proved to be a nail-biter. Down 4-10 early, Benilde clawed back behind reigning NCAA MVP Rocky Motol, team captain John Austero, and Mike Balbacal, eventually seizing a slim 22-21 lead.
But Letran held firm in the clutch. A costly miscue by Reymark Betco opened the door, before Lardizabal delivered back-to-back points—a quick attack followed by a block on Motol—to put the Knights at match point.
In an anti-climactic ending to the one-hour and 42-minute battle, Motol’s crosscourt attempt went wide, sealing the victory and keeping Letran’s semifinal hopes alive.
Earlier, the Knights dominated the third frame after racing to a 10-5 lead. They never looked back, as timely conversions from Lardizabal and Bautista in the closing plays secured them a pivotal 2-1 sets advantage.
Felix Bermido contributed 12 points and four excellent digs, while Vince Himzon added eight points. Team captain Wayne Arano also had an all-around showing with 26 excellent sets and five points, while Paolo Lopez chipped in four markers.
The path to the semifinals, however, remains challenging. Letran will next face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday, September 10, still at Paco Arena.
Benilde, meanwhile, fell to the brink of elimination with a 1-4 record. The Blazers will try to keep their hopes alive when they take on FEU on Sunday, September 7.
Motol once again led the Blazers with 18 points built on 16 attacks and two blocks, along with 17 excellent receptions. Betco provided support with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, plus five excellent digs.
