Letran stuns College of St. Benilde in thrilling game one of NCAA women’s volleyball finals

A NEW era is fast emerging while a dynasty is crumbling in NCAA women’s volleyball.

And that new order could be Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which stunned reigning five-peat champion College of St. Benilde, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-14, 15-11, on Easter Sunday titular showdown at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to move on the cusp ruling NCAA Season 101 and ending the latter’s long reign.

The Letran Lady Knights were unrelenting in essaying an epic comeback win that gave it a 1-0 lead in their short but sweet best-of-three series that resumes on Wednesday at the same historic Manila venue.

A decider, if necessary, is on Friday.

“We really prepared hard for this and preparation and plans worked in this game,” said Letran coach Mayeth Carolina, who was interestingly an integral part of the pontifical school’s last NCAA crown 27 years ago.

Judiel Nitura unloaded 21 points including a pair of service aces in the deciding set that helped Letran erase a 10-8 deficit and snare the Game One triumph.

“I just told myself when I was on the service spot that it’s now or never and I have to help finish it,” said an emotional Ms. Nitura.

She did. — Joey Villar