The Letran Lady Knights overcame opening day jitters and slammed the Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Generals, 22-25, 25-10, 25-18, 25-13, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
It took the Lady Knights a little before settling down to find their rhythm, and when they did, sophomore Dane Ohya took charge and led the Lady Knights to their first triumph in the women’s division of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) volleyball tournament.
“Mga freshmen at sophomore ang mga player ko. Siyempre, tense. Nakakita ng malaking crowd nanonood at nagchi-cheer sa kanila. Kaya nung nagdie-down na ang kanilang excitement, nakasunod na sa sistema at bumalik ang kumpiyansa,” said Letran coach Mike Inoferio.
A well-coordinated attack in the last set allowed the Lady Squires to their post their first win in 92 minutes.
Cunada hit 24 points while Ohya had 15 points, and both helped the Lady Knights fight their way out of a 22-25 setback in the first set.
After equalizing in the second set, 25-10, the Lady Knights moved out of reach on a succession of plays which Cunada and Ohya orchestrated.
Cunada’s kill and block with the support of Khryssa Monteagudo allowed Letran to take a 17-11 spread.
Aces from Cunada and Monteagudo in the fourth set then propelled Letran to an unreachable 16-6 spread in the last set.
In other games, Joshua Mina put in 15 points in powering EAC to a 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 beating of Letran in the men’s action.
Ricardo Maglapid Jr. had 11 points in EAC’s 30-28, 25-18, 28-26 win over Letran in the junior side.
The Lady Knights will go for win no. 2 against the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers on Monday.
