Brian Esquibel still proud of 'overachiever' Letran Knights despite finals heartbreak
NCAA
By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News
Colegio de San Juan de Letran's defeat in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball finals did not dampen head coach Brian Esquibel's pride in the Knights.
The long-time tactician stressed that the team had exceeded expectations and vowed the only way forward is up as they set their sights on a redemption campaign come Season 101. And for the Knights, the work starts now.
"Actually I'm very happy sa narating ng team kasi coming from top four tapos umabot ng finals, it's a big achievement na para sa amin kasi sabi ko nga sa kanila, baka hindi pa ito 'yung time kasi mga bata pa sila," Esquibel told GMA News Online last Wednesday.
"Mahaba pang panahon 'yung mapagsasamahan ng team, sana maging lessons 'yung mga nangyari kasi kailangang mag-mature. And after ng game na 'to, magtatrabaho agad kami para sa next season."
The Knights made some noise this season, leaning on veterans Vince Himzon and Bembem Bautista as well as young guns Dave Lardizabal, Christer Ambrocio, and Wayne Araño to end the elimination round at fourth spot with a 12-6 record.
But in order to move forward, the Knights had to get past a huge roadblock that was De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four with the top-seeded Blazers holding a twice-to-beat bonus.
Bautista went beastmode in the semifinals, unleashing 17 points in Game 1 that saw them sweeping the Blazers with a 25-17, 25-23, 25-23 win before detonating for a 27-point explosion in the do-or-die Game 2 to steer the Knights to a 22-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-20 victory and into the finals.
That win alone was already a historic one for Letran as it sent them to the championship round for the first time in 16 years. But the Knights faded in the finals against eventual champion Arellano University to cap off their stellar campaign.
"Ngayon, meron na kaming championship experience na dadalhin para sa susunod na season. Ang sabi ko sa kanila walang hihinto hangga't walang ginto," Esquibel added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- GMA Network
NCAA to receive special citation in Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night for centennial season
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will be recognized when the Collegiate Press Corps holds its annual awards nights on June 30 at the Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig City. The NCAA is set to be handed a special citation in honor of its 100 years of excellence in sports, producing outstanding student-athletes across various disciplines. The country's oldest league is staging its Season 100 with a theme of "Siglo Uno: Inspiring Legacies", which saw several schools achieve historic milestones. For one, Mapua University ended a long 33-year title drought in men's basketball with the likes of Clint Escamis, Cyrus Cuenco, Lawrence Mangubat, and Chris Hubilla conniving to beat De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the finals. The last time the Cardinals reigned supreme was in 1991, when head coach Randy Alcantara was still suiting up for the school together with Benny Cheng. In men's volleyball, Arellano University captured its first-ever title led by Finals MVP Carl Berdal and other key players such as Adrian Villados, Anfernee Curamen, AC Guinto, Jiwen Sinuto, and Jake Pangilinan. While it marked a historic breakthrough for the Chiefs, the Lady Blazers solidified their dominance by extending their championship dynasty in the women's division. Mycah Go and Zam Nolasco fronted their four-peat run as they swept Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the finals that marked the first time the squad accomplished such a feat. Season 100 also saw the success of the Perpetual Junior ALTAs with the talented crew hoisting the team's maiden crown in the juniors basketball division. San Beda University, meanwhile, proved its caliber in other sports after claiming its third straight and 26th overall crown in men's football tournament, while its swimming team continued to dominate with a 21st straight championship in the men's division and an 11th consecutive crown in the women's category. Later this month, the NCAA will host its first-ever esports tournament with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang serving as a special event. —Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Kungfu Reyes named new head coach of rebuilding San Beda Lady Red Spikers
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News From tigers' lair to the lions' den. Kungfu Reyes is bringing his coaching brilliance to Mendiola after being tapped to be the new head coach of San Beda University women's volleyball team. The school announced the development on Saturday as the Lady Red Spikers try to revive their program following years of consecutive Final Four misses in the NCAA. Reyes, who recently dropped his women's coaching duty with University of Santo Tomas to focus on being the program director, now became the fifth head coach of San Beda in the last five seasons. Nemesio Gavino called the shots when the league returned after the pandemic in Season 97 before he was replaced by Ariel Dela Cruz in Season 98. Dela Cruz didn't last long either after San Beda tapped renowned tactician Edgar Barroga in Season 99 until the latter was let go midway through Season 100. Joshua Noda then came in as the interim head coach, leading the Lady Red Spikers to a 4-14 win-loss record finish in the centennial edition. Reyes will inherit a core led by incoming third-year outside spiker Angel Habacon alongside Janelle Bachar, Rianne Bedural, and Patricia Hiponia as San Beda looks to restore its winning ways. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Cha Cuñada finds new fulfillment in deputy role for Letran Lady Knights
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News Known for her calm demeanor on the court as a player, Cha Cuñada now brings that same steady presence to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran women's volleyball coaching staff in the NCAA. The 25-year-old former outside spiker admitted she was never the vocal leader back in her playing years and hat's exactly what she is using now in guiding the next generation of the Lady Knights. "Mostly po talaga, [ang trabaho ko sa team ay] para lang nila akong ate. Parang ako kumbaga 'yung taga-balance sa team kasi syempre si coach 'pag nagagalit, so parang sa akin sila nagra-rant or humihingi ng advice," Cuñada told GMA News Online. "Pero at the same time, sa skills din kasi naging player din naman ako kaya tumulong-tulong din ako pagdating sa drill. Pinagkakatiwalaan din naman ako ni Coach O (Oliver Almadro) and 'yung mga players alam ko naman na nakikinig din naman sila sa akin." As a silent operator, Cuñada made sure her game did the talking. The 5-foot-5 hitter suited up for both the indoor and beach volleyball teams for Letran from Season 94 to Season 98, a stretch that saw her leading the Lady Knights to a beach volleyball crown in Season 98 and bagging the MVP plum in the process. She has now transitioned to coaching, helping Letran head coach Oliver Almadro full-time since Season 99 as they look to lead the rebirth of the Lady Knights. Cuñada admitted that transitioning from player to coach wasn't easy, especially since many of the players on the current roster were once her teammates, making it tricky to strike the right balance in her new role. "At first, mahirap kasi maraming players dito 'yung naabutan pa akong maglaro, sina Lara, si Nathalie [Estreller], si Juday [Nitura]. So parang ang hirap, hindi ko alam kung paano 'yung magiging approach ko sa kanila," Cuñada, who previously had stints with Chery Tiggo and Cignal, added. "Pero na-realize ko na hindi naman lahat kailangan idaan sa taas ng boses, nakikinig naman sila kahit 'pag kinakausap ko lang nang maayos." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
