
Letran's Wayne Araño joins list of NCAA's top setters
NCAA
Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Wayne Araño joined the list of the NCAA's top players after being recognized as the Best Setter of the Season 100 men's volleyball tournament.
Araño became a crucial piece of Letran's campaign, placing second in the setting category with an average of 5.75 by set. He also became the league's second best server at the end of the elimination round.
However, the individual recognition was an unexpected one for the second-year Knight.
"Siguro n'ung una parang hindi ko po talaga ine-expect ang award na 'to gawa ng si Adi [Villados] from national team siya, sobrang daming experience. Ako from NCAA, Spikers Turf, 'yun lang na-experience ko. Sobrang overwhelming po ng award na 'to," said Araño, who dedicated the award to his family in Canada and his teammates.
Letran may have fallen to Arellano University in the finals, but Araño promised they will work hard to be better next season.
"Magdo-double time po kami sa training namin, pipilitin namin mag-bond as one. 'Yung lock namin sa first ball, sa blockings, pagtatrabahahun namin para next season handa na kami," Araño added.
Aside from Araño, his teammate Vince Himzon was named as one of the league's best middle blockers this season.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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Letran's Wayne Araño joins list of NCAA's top setters
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Wayne Araño joined the list of the NCAA's top players after being recognized as the Best Setter of the Season 100 men's volleyball tournament. Araño became a crucial piece of Letran's campaign, placing second in the setting category with an average of 5.75 by set. He also became the league's second best server at the end of the elimination round. However, the individual recognition was an unexpected one for the second-year Knight. "Siguro n'ung una parang hindi ko po talaga ine-expect ang award na 'to gawa ng si Adi [Villados] from national team siya, sobrang daming experience. Ako from NCAA, Spikers Turf, 'yun lang na-experience ko. Sobrang overwhelming po ng award na 'to," said Araño, who dedicated the award to his family in Canada and his teammates. Letran may have fallen to Arellano University in the finals, but Araño promised they will work hard to be better next season. "Magdo-double time po kami sa training namin, pipilitin namin mag-bond as one. 'Yung lock namin sa first ball, sa blockings, pagtatrabahahun namin para next season handa na kami," Araño added. Aside from Araño, his teammate Vince Himzon was named as one of the league's best middle blockers this season. —JKC, GMA Integrated News