Lady Knights overcome slow start, sink Lady Pirates

Photo Credit: The Lance

Games Wednesday

(Filoil EcoOil Arena)

7:30 a.m.- CSB vs UPHSD (men)

10 a.m.- CSB vs UPHSD (women)

2 p.m.- JRU vs San Beda (women)

5 p.m.- JRU vs San Beda (men)

Letran overcame a huge fourth-set deficit as it brought down a fancied Lyceum of the Philippines University, 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, on Tuesday, April 30, to enhance its Final Four aspiration in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

With the match appearing to head to a deciding fifth set after trailing 14-9 in the fourth set, the Lady Knights charged back and turned things around in their favor to finish off the Lady Pirates and claim their fifth win in seven outings.

That put them back in prime position to snare a Final Four ticket.

It also snapped a two-game slide following harrowing defeats to College of St. Benilde (7-0) and Mapua (4-3).

The result also sent the Lady Pirates crashing to their first defeat after stringing six straight triumphs to start the season and remained at No. 2 behind an unbeaten, three-peat-seeking CSB.

LPU was also denied a Final Four berth had it won this one.

Gia Maquilang came through with an all-around performance as she unloaded 18 points while spearheading her team’s floor defense with 16 digs on top of 18 excellent receptions.

Yen Martin and Judiel Nitura provided the needed ammos and scattered 16 and 15 hits, respectively.

Jan Tulang waxed poetic with her spikes again as she uncorked 19 but it failed to translate into a win.