Letran repels Enderun to complete Shakey’s volleyball semis cast

MANILA, Philippines -- Reigning NCAA champion Letran turned it on late to thwart the gritty Enderun Colleges, 21-25, 25-21, 25-14, 14-25, 15-4, and complete the Final Four cast in the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Judiel Nitura and Reeza Abayon joined forces down the stretch, igniting a 5-0 start en route to a dominant finish as the Lady Knights capped their campaign at 2-3 to catch the last semis bus.

Letran will take on the top-ranked UST, while NCAA runner-up St. Benilde and Australia’s Southern Storm Melbourne clash in the other semis pairing Friday.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na kung ano ang itinuturo ni coach 'yun ang dapat gawin at sundin namin. Nag-adjust kami paunti-unti kaya nakuha namin ang panalo,” said playmaker Hizki Flores, who stabilized Letran’s offense in the decider to finish with 16 sets.

Abayon paced the Lady Knights with 17 points on 15 hits while Nitura added 14 markers, including three in Letran’s 10-3 runaway in the fifth set.

Althea Botor (14) led the way while Jasmine Salvani and Ederlyn Alba had eight and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Titans, who wrapped up their run at 1-4.

Enderun and Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club of Vietnam will battle in the classification match also Friday before the Final Four.