Lady Knights climb to second

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Michael Inoferio and his Letran Lady Knights stunned the big guns to rule the NCAA Season 98 beach volleyball tournament in Subic last January.

They’re doing just the same in volleyball.

Making up for lack of star power with a collective team effort, Letran pulled the rug from under traditional powerhouse San Sebastian, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 29-27, yesterday to join the group of Final Four contenders at the San Andres Complex.

With none of his players in the top 20 scoring list, Inoferio continued to pull rabbits out of his magic hat, this time leaning on the foursome of Judiel Nitura, Chamberlaine Cunada, Lea Rizel Tapang and Daisy Melendres, who fired 17, 16, 15 and 13 points, respectively.

None of them is in the MVP race.

But it doesn’t bother Inoferio at all as long as his players get the job done.

“We just want to win,” said Inoferio, who steered an unheralded team of Cunada and Lara Mae Silva to the beach volley crown against the league’s heavyweights.

The Lady Knights now have a 3-1 record, and joined a five-team logjam at No. 2.