Jasper Afgao erupted off the bench for 22 points as Colegio de San Juan de Letran forced a Game 3 in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge semifinals. The Knights beat National University, 22–25, 25–23, 29–27, 13–25, 20–18, at the FilOil Centre.

Despite being blown out in the fourth set, Letran refused to go down without a fight. The winner-take-all Game 3 will decide a spot in the Finals, with the time yet to be determined.

Jasper Afgao Powers Letran Past NU in V-League Semifinals

Afgao, an outside hitter, steered the Knights with an all-around performance. Coming in for Christer Ambrosio, he delivered 20 kills and two blocks.

He also contributed three digs and 12 excellent receptions. Dave Lardizabal came through with 23 kills, repeatedly providing timely hits to keep the Knights afloat.

Vince Himzon added 12 points, including the crucial kills in the endgame. His back-to-back kills helped Letran build a 9–6 cushion in the fifth set.

Paolo Lopez extended Letran’s lead to 11–7 with two straight spikes. The Knights held off NU’s late charge in the 20–18 decider.

A quick kill from Himzon, followed by an attack error from NU’s Choi Diao, sealed the match. It lasted two hours and 11 minutes.

“Parehas lang ’yung sistema, magkakapaan talaga ’yan. Siguro pagdating lang sa pressure game, mas lumabas ’yung pagkabeterano ng Letran kasi mostly second-year, third-year ’tong mga ’to,” said head coach Jessie Lopez.

“Tinuruan ko lang din ’yung mga batang mag-adjust kasi volleyball is a game of adjustments. Tong Game 2, hindi namin momentum ’to eh, kanilang momentum ’to, at least naagaw namin. Sana magtuluy-tuloy hanggang bukas,” Lopez added.

NU Errors Force Game 3 in 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge

The opening set was a tug-of-war until Letran denied NU’s RK Medino a chance to put the Bulldogs ahead. The Knights took a 22–21 lead, forcing NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin to call a timeout.

A perfect pass from Luke Macatangay set up a bounce-back kill from Medino. The outside hitter and Obed Mukaba then led the Bulldogs on a 4–0 finishing run to take the opening set.

The second set was just as tightly contested. The Knights pushed ahead with a set-point advantage behind blocks from Himzon and Lardizabal.

Two straight points from the Bulldogs, including a roller from Macatangay, pulled NU within one. A service error from Yuan Mendoza handed Letran the set and the equalizer.

Jade Disquitado led NU with a match-high 23 points, while Macatangay and Diao added 14 markers apiece. The Bulldogs’ untimely errors, which totaled 26, forced them into another match for a spot in the Finals.