Latest news with #LadyKnights
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Judiel Nitura moved by sister Shaina's surprise visit as Letran clinches finals ticket
By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News Judiel Nitura had every reason to celebrate Colegio de San Juan de Letran's sweep victory over Arellano University on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball Final Four. For one, it sent the Lady Knights back to the finals, earning a shot at redemption opposite four-peat seeking De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the same team that defeated them in last year's finals. But what made the victory sweeter was the surprise presence of her sister Shaina, who watched a game this season for the first time, and it coincided with one of Judiel's finest performances this year. Judiel appreciated the gesture, sharing she understands Shaina's hectic schedule, which includes her role with Adamson University in the UAAP and the Alas Pilipinas national team. READ MORE | Alas Pilipinas Women's team for 2025 international tournaments "Kasi ngayon lang pumunta si Shaina, first time niyang manood. Syempre na-touch din ako kasi nakahanap siya ng time para manood sa akin," Judiel told GMA News Online. "Busy lang talaga kasi 'yung bata sa training tapos may Alas pa siya. Na-miss ko rin siya. Last na kita namin siguro mga one or two months ago na kasi busy din po kami kasi twice-a-day 'yung training namin." [This was Shaina's first time to watch. Of course, I was touched that she found the time to watch me... She is so busy with training and she also has Alas. I've missed her. Last I saw her was one or two monhts ago because we've also been busy with twice-a-day training.] Judiel, who admitted she didn't know her younger sister would be watching the match, led Letran to a 30-28, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Lady Chiefs to book the last finals ticket. She poured in a team-high 17 points anchored on 15 attacks and two blocks, steering the Lady Knights to a second consecutive championship appearance. "Hindi ko alam na nanood siya. After the game ko lang nalaman kaya na-touch ako, naiyak ako. Si Mama lang 'yung alam ko na manonood," Judiel added. "Nagkakasagasa din kasi 'yung schedule namin kaya hirap na hirap din siyang humanap ng time. Ako nanonood sa game nila." [I didn't know she was going to watch. I only found out after the game which is why I was touched. I cried. I only knew that Mama was going to watch... Our schedules have conflicted so she it has been tough on her to find time. I've been the one watching her games.] But Judiel knows the work doesn't stop here as they now shift into higher gear ahead of another finals showdown with the Lady Blazers starting on Sunday. "Stay focused and 'yung mindset namin dapat sobrang taas ng tingin sa sarili namin. Dapat lagi lang din kaming makinig sa mga coaches para alam namin 'yung mga galaw." [Stay focused and we need to have the mindset that we think highly of ourselves. And we always have to listen to our coaches so we know our moves.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran eyes return to NCAA women's finals; Mapua makes rare Final Four appearance in men's volleyball
Colegio de San Juan de Letran is eyeing another stint in the NCAA women's volleyball finals when it takes on no. 3 seed Arellano University, while Mapua University is making a rare Final Four appearance in men's play as it faces Arellano's men's team. The twice-to-beat Lady Knights will battle the Lady Chiefs for the second finals ticket on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. but prior to that, no. 2 seed Cardinals will battle the Chiefs at 11 a.m. at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. Letran finished the elimination round at no. 2 with a 15-3 record and won back-to-back to finish the second round. For head coach Oliver Almadro, however, they will just focus on the game and prepare without thinking of their advantage. "We have to be ready going into the semifinals. We thank the Lord for giving us the opportunity to be in the Final Four for two years in a row and we always pray to God na bigyan ulit kami ng chance makapasok sa championship and His will will be done sa championship," Letran head coach "We have to think of that game lang first. We have to think that there's no advantage or disadvantage. We have to prepare and dumating sa game na ready kami." The Lady Knights have plenty in their arsenal as they eye their second consecutive finals appearance. Rookie Vanessa Sarie, the league's top scorer, has been making waves in the NCAA as she broke the NCAA scoring record when she exploded for 37 points in their game against Arellano. Following Sarie in the scoring list for this season is Judiel Nitura, who is also the league's best server. Gia Maquilang, meanwhile, has found her groove and was the league's top spiker at the end of the elimination round, while veteran libero Lara Mae Silva has topped the digging and receiving categories. Arellano, meanwhile, has been pushing teams to the limits. The Lady Chiefs won against fellow Final Four team Mapua University in the second round and Letran in the first round. Arellano is also in a three-game winning streak where it defeated Perpetual, EAC, and LPU. At the end of the elimination round, Arellano finished with a 12-6 card to claim the third spot. "Siyempre, masaya kami dahil 'yong target namin [ngayong] season is nakuha namin. So sabi ko nga last time, 'yong makapasok muna kami sa Final Four, nakuha naman tapos saka kami na i-ta-target sa susunod," Arellano head coach Obet Javier said. Arellano will have to rely on this season's third leading scorer in Laika Tudlasan, Marianne Padillon, and Sam Tiratira, as they Lady Chiefs hope to repeat what they did in the first round, and eventually force a do-or-die against the Lady Knights. In the men's division, meanwhile, Mapua and Arellano will battle for a slot in the finals. The Cardinals, led by Barbie San Andres and Arjay Ramos, capped the elimination round at second place with a 14-4 card, but have suffered back-to-back losses before the Final Four. This season's top 1 and 3 scorers, San Andres and Ramos, are marked men coming into the Final Four but will be backed by the likes of Olsen Jamisola and setter Juancho Barba. Mapua has also been shaky lately as they absorbed all their losses in the second round after completing a first round sweep. The Cardinals also suffered their first loss this season against Arellano. They are, however, motivated as they made their first Final Four appearance at least since Season 91 in 2015. Arellano, meanwhile, ended the prelims on a four-game streak to finish third with a 13-5 win-loss card. Carl Berdal and AC Guinto lead the crop of scorers which also includes Penny Curamen, and Jiwen Sinuto. Adrian Villados, the league's top setter, will also join the Chiefs as they look to spoil Mapua's party. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran Lady Knights sweep JRU to book Final Four ticket
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran officially booked a ticket to the Final Four after sweeping Jose Rizal University, 25-14, 25-20, 25-12, on Sunday in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. The victory also handed the Lady Knights (14-3) a twice-to-beat advantage, along with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (14-2). For head coach Oliver Almadro, however, reaching the Final Four is just one step towards the fulfillment of a dream. "Happy for that feat na two years na nakaabot kami sa Final Four is a blessing. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to be in the Final Four, but of course hindi siya natatapos sa pagiging Final Four. We have to put that goal into our dream, kumbaga dream namin mag-champion pero we have to put that goal na makalagpas muna sa semifinals," Almadro told GMA News Online. Judiel Nitura led the offense for the Intramuros crew with 17 points, all from attacks, while Vanessa Sarie had 13 points to go with five receptions. Nicole Deala top-scored the Lady Bombers with seven points as they wrapped the season with three wins and 15 losses. Letran, however, will still have to play Mapua University on Wednesday to determine its postseason position. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Benilde earns payback vs. Letran to regain top spot in NCAA women's volleyball
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde gained a measure of revenge against its first-round tormentor Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 25-18, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. The Lady Blazers once again leaned on the tandem of Zam Nolasco and Cristy Ondangan to escape the Lady Knights in four sets as the three-time defending champions regained the top spot at 13-2. Letran still holds the second spot with a 13-3 card. Nolasco led the show with 17 points anchored on 11 attacks and six blocks while Ondangan chipped in 14 markers as they avenged their previous sweep loss to the Lady Knights. "Nagre-relax 'yung mga bata nu'ng third set pero pagdating naman ng fourth set naayos naman namin," Benilde head coach Onyok Getigan said. "'Yun (top spot) naman talaga 'yung target namin so 'yung susunod naming games malaking bagay if manalo kami kasi tataas 'yung kumpiyansa ng mga bata." Down two sets, Letran mounted a comeback in the third set by turning a slim 8-7 lead to a 16-7 cushion after a series of attack errors from the side of Benilde. Another attack error from them sent Letran to the set point, 24-13, before the Lady Blazers unleashed a 4-0 run. Nicen Colendra then dropped the hammer to finish the third frame and force a fourth set, 25-17. In that set, Benilde committed nine errors, paving the way for the extension. But Benilde returned to its old ways in the fourth with team captain Mycah Go serving an ace to build a 13-10 lead while Rhea Densing sent them to a 16-11 cushion. Benilde even made it a 20-12 separation before a Nolasco quick attack brought the four-peat seeking Lady Blazers to a 23-14 advantage. Densing finished it off by breaking the block of Judiel Nitura and Royce Dela Cruz to extend Benilde's win streak to six. Shahanna Lleses and Densing supplied the support with 10 points each while veteran Go had an all-around outing of eight points, 18 digs, and nine receptions. Vanessa Sarie, who was coming off a historic 37-point outing against Arellano last Friday, finished with 16 points laced with eight digs and 17 receptions while Nitura dropped 10 markers. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CCRI softball team heads to NY for DIII World Series tournament
WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — The CCRI softball team is capping off another successful season with its second straight appearance in the NJCAA Division III World Series. After putting together a 19-7 overall record, the Lady Knights will be representing the Northeast in the eight-team tournament. A sendoff celebration was held Monday before the team hit the road to New York. The World Series will be played May 21–24 at Carrier Park in DeWitt. Check the team's website for updates on who they'll be playing and when. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
