The Knights captured the most coveted championship trophy in the 85th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) chess competition at SM Manila. 

The Knights came out strong from the heavily-favored St. Benilde College Blazers to resurrect from third place after round 14.  

Letran coach, National Master Roland Joseph Perez, steered the team to its fifth championship trophy in the NCAA. On the other hand, the Squires were in first place after a defeat from San Sebastian College-Recoletos Staglettes. 

In the volleyball division, the Knights-men’s team is this year’s champions after beating San Beda in a close-fight, five sets in game three. The Knights first upset the Mendiola-based team in game one but the rival team bounced back in game two. The deciding game, with scores, 29-27, 22-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-11, gave Letran its third championship title in the men’s division.

Letran team captain Warren Pirante spearheaded the Knights’ offense by recording 21 hits while Ariel dela Cruz drilled in 18 hits, including his killer spike which sealed the five-set third game of the championship tournament.

Letran mentor Brian Esquivel, with assistant coach Nestor Pamiliar, was “very happy with the win.”