Perpetual, Letran bets open defense of titles

Letran and University of Perpetual Help open their title defenses as the NCAA Season 99 beach volleyball unfurls today at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone grounds in Zambales.The Lady Knights’ Chamberlaine Cunada and Lara Mae Silva ruled the women’s crown last year, the Pontifical school’s second in all after ruling the same division 21 years ago.Jefferson Marapoc and Louie Ramirez, for their part, reigned supreme in the men’s side, their third title in that class in all.Cunada and Marapoc were named MVPs.This year, Letran is fielding Lara Silva, rookie Gia Maquilang and alternate Angel Afogao will be tasked to carry the heavy responsibility of defending the title against an expectedly competitive field.San Sebastian remains the most titled in the women’s side with seven titles including an amazing four-peat feat from 2013 to 2016 while College of St. Benilde is still the king of the sands with seven crowns of its own including four straight in the first four years the event was included in the calendar in 2002.