Camille Naredo

Action between College of St. Benilde and Letran in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 12, 2025 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. PVL Media

Action between College of St. Benilde and Letran in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 12, 2025 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.

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2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- College of St. Benilde gave Letran&#x27;s new coach a rude welcome as they claimed a four-set win over the Lady Knights in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Tuesday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.The Lady Blazers recovered from a third set blip, 25-15, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20, to give a rude welcome to new Letran coach Aleksi Lahteenimaki.Lahteenimaki, a Finnish mentor, replaced Oliver Almadro, who guided Letran for two seasons and into back-to-back NCAA Finals appearances.The Lady Blazers had to dig deep in the decisive frame, fending off a gritty Lady Knights squad led by Gia Maquilang&#x27;s heroics, who was eager to give Lahteenimaki a winning debut.Benilde&#x27;s middle blocker Zam Nolasco stamped her authority at the net to shut the door on Letran&#x27;s comeback hopes.Nolasco fired 21 points on 12 attacks and eight blocks, with three of those kills coming in the fourth set—including the match-winning power tip that sealed the victory in one hour and 41 minutes.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754993563445VL 2025 WVT Letran vs CSB_NOLASCO Zamantha, ESTRELLER Natalie-08781.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between College of St. Benilde and Letran in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 12, 2025 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. PVL Media"/>Action between College of St. Benilde and Letran in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 12, 2025 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. PVL Media</div>&quot;Obvious naman na since nagsunud-sunod &#x27;yung kanilang errors, so most likely kinakabahan &#x27;yon or nagiging kumpyansa. &#x27;Yun siguro &#x27;yung naging problema nila,&quot; said Benilde assistant coach Corrine Apostol.&quot;Kinausap sila ni coach (Jerry Yee) na kailangang maging matibay, kasi &#x27;pag crucial games hindi pwedeng kinakabahan talaga. Pinoint out lang din ni coach &#x27;yung mga kailangan nilang adjustments kasi nag-adjust rin &#x27;yung Letran. Siguro, lumabas lang din &#x27;yung tibay ng loob nila lalo na&#x27;t dikit &#x27;yung score,&quot; added Apostol, a former Lady Blazer herself.Benilde came out firing in the first two sets, capitalizing on Letran&#x27;s defensive lapses and scoring almost at will to build double-digit leads that turned into dominant wins.Maquilang and the Lady Knights, however, turned the tables in the third set, making the most of a strong start and pouncing on Benilde&#x27;s errors on both ends of the court.Letran carried the momentum into the fourth set, but eventually ran out of steam against Benilde&#x27;s composure and the leadership of Nolasco and setter Chenae Basarte in the closing stretch.Basarte anchored the Lady Blazers&#x27; offense with 24 excellent sets, which the team converted into 52 attacks.Rhea Densing delivered 11 of those, adding two blocks for a total of 13 points, while Kai Lleses contributed eight markers in the win.Benilde (2-0) will shoot for a third consecutive victory against the debuting Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday at 12 p.m., still at the Paco Arena.Maquilang was Letran&#x27;s brightest performer, finishing with 21 points, 14 digs, and 10 excellent receptions. Opposite hitter Verenicce Colendra chipped in nine markers in the loss.Letran (0-1) will aim for its first win when it faces Far Eastern University (1-0) next Tuesday, August 19, at 10 a.m.

The Lady Blazers recovered from a third set blip, 25-15, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20, to give a rude welcome to new Letran coach Aleksi Lahteenimaki.

The Lady Blazers recovered from a third set blip, 25-15, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20, to give a rude welcome to new Letran coach Aleksi Lahteenimaki.

Volleyball: Lady Blazers spoils debut of Letran's new coach

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Volleyball: Lady Blazers spoils debut of Letran's new coach

ABS-CBN News

Published August 12, 2025 06:14 PM PHT

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2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge

Letran Lady Knights

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Aleksi Lahteenimaki

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