Lady Knights salvage podium finish

MANILA, Philippines — NCAA champion Letran drubbed guest team Southern Storm from Australia, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, to salvage the bronze medal in the Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Following a deflating semifinal defeat to unbeaten Santo Tomas, the Lady Knights regrouped and dominated the foreign squad save for a second-set mishap.

It’s the first Shakey’s tourney with overseas squads, and the Intramuros-based spikers made sure that all medals go to the home teams with Santo Tomas and St. Benilde slugging it out for the crown.

Judiel Nitura led the way with 19 points, all on hits, as the Lady Knights kickstarted their preparation for a title defense in NCAA Season 102.