Colegio de San Juan de Letran clawed back in the fourth set to repel erstwhile undefeated Lyceum of the Philippines University, 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, and bolster its Final Four bid in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Rookie sensation Gia Maquilang starred for the Lady Knights, exploding for a double-double outing of 18 points and 16 digs on top of eight receptions as they halted a two-game slump to improve to 5-2.
Another rookie in Yen Martin weaved a huge game as she rediscovered her form with 16 markers anchored on 13 attacks and three blocks, atoning for a scoreless outing in their four-set loss to Mapua last week.
The Muralla crew once found itself staring at a five-point hole in the crucial fourth set after the Lady Pirates, who were eyeing to punch a semifinals ticket had they won, broke a 9-all deadlock by unleashing a 5-0 rampage.
But it didn't dampen the faith of the Lady Knights as Maquilang manufactured back-to-back hits before Judiel Nitura's single block on Johna Dolorito saw the game tied anew at 19-all.
Letran's offensive-minded setter in Natalie Estreller then uncorked two aces in a row while a Maquilang attack sent Letran to a pivotal 22-19 cushion.
Lyceum would still answer with two straight points capped by an ace from two-time best setter Venice Puzon to cut their deficit to just one, 22-21. But a net error from LPU's rookie middle blocker Hiromi Osada ultimately awarded Letran the four-set triumph.
Nitura tallied 15 points, highlighted by the down-the-line kill that won them the third set, while sophomore libero Lara Silva starred with 18 digs and seven receptions.
Jaja Tulang paced the Lady Pirates with 19 points built on 14 attacks and five blocks while Joan Doguna and Hiromi chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
