The Letran Lady Knights are the women's collegiate varsity volleyball team representing Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the Philippines.
The Lady Knights have won nine NCAA championships since the inception of women's volleyball in 1975.
History The NCAA volleyball tournament for women's division began in 1975. The Letran Lady Knights was formed in 1977 with only seven players, mentored by Herminio "Boggs" Rivera. On that same year, they have captured their very first NCAA title. The team was called as the "Magnificent Seven" because the team debuted and have won the competition with only seven players. The Lady Knights then added eight more players and later captured four more consecutive titles in 1978 to 1981, then another one in 1985.
In 1997 and 1998, the Lady Knights captured their sixth and seventh titles. The team was bannered by two siblings, Michelle Carolino and Marietta "Mayeth" Carolino, and coached by Nestor "Nes" Pamilar. The Carolino sisters would make a name in Shakey's V-League and the Philippine national team.
In 2011, the team would make their first Finals appearance since taking the title in 1998. But this would result in a heartbreak as they were beaten by the UPHSD Lady Altas. The team was bannered by Melissa Cu and Marinelle Carolino, younger sister of Michelle and Mayeth.
In 2023, Letran officials hired alumnus and former Petro Gazz Angels head coach Oliver Almadro. Almadro steered the Lady Knights to back-to-back Finals appearances.
In 2025, Finnish volleyball club Oriveden Ponnistus assistant coach Aleksi Lähteenmäki replaced Oliver Almadro as the new head coach of the Lady Knights. Later on, Letran alumnus Mayeth Carolino was named head coach of the Lady Knights, while Lähteenmäki was assigned assistant coach and team consultant. The team would again bagged the NCAA title after 27 years after beating their Season 99 and Season 100 tormentors, the CSB Lady Blazers. Team captain Lara Mae Silva bagged the Best Libero honor, while was Judiel Nitura was named the Best Opposite Hitter and Finals MVP.
Current roster NCAA Season 101 Letran Lady KnightsNo.NamePosition1NITURA, Marie JudielOpposite Hitter4NAPAL, MarjorieOutside Hitter6PADILLA, LeonilynMiddle Blocker7MARTIN, Niezelle AeriyenOutside hitter8TUMAYAO, Princess ZyneSetter9PANANGIN, JoralynOutside Hitter10ESTRELLER, Natalie MarieSetter12COLENDRA, VerenicceSpiker14ENVERGA, Marbey AllenLibero15SARIE, Sheena VanessaOutside Hitter16ISAR, Lastlie JadeMiddle Blocker17FLORES, HizkiOutside Hitter19SILVA, Lara Mae (c)Libero23SILORIO, Syra JoyMiddle Blocker25MAQUILANG, Gia MarcelOutside Hitter
Team staff NamePosition Marietta Carolino Head coach Aleksi Markus Lähteenmäki Assistant coach Ludlo Dulce Assistant coach Kaycee Balingit Assistant coach Keiara Almirante Student manager Enrico Rafael Francisco Strength & cond. coach Patrick Marquez Physical therapist
Past rosters Letran Lady Knights–1977-78 NCAA Season 53 champions "The Magnificent Seven" Alicia Abuel ∙ Rosalie Arandia ∙ Ernestina Cristobal ∙ Melba Gan ∙ Nancy Gan ∙ Resurreccion Garcia ∙ Donna Tengson Head coach: Herminio Rivera Letran Lady Knights–1978-79 NCAA Season 54 champions Alicia Abuel ∙ Marissa Agravante ∙ Rosalie Arandia ∙ Imelda Cabrera ∙ Ernestina Cristobal ∙ Gene Cruz ∙ Melba Gan ∙ Nancy Gan ∙ Resurreccion Garcia ∙ Elisa Laserna ∙ Flordelisa Mendoza ∙ Leonor Tagle ∙ Donna Tengson ∙ Florenciana Tolentino ∙ Miriam TriceHead coach: Herminio Rivera Letran Lady Knights–2011-12 NCAA Season 87 runners-up Gena Keeisha Andaya ∙ Patricia Anne Belleza ∙ Marinelle Jane Carolino ∙ Melissa Mae Cu ∙ Sarah Jane Espelita ∙ Rose Valerie Guevarra ∙ France Lauren Lopez ∙ Queenie Mondejar ∙ Monique Pablo ∙ Angelica Santos ∙ Justyne Mae Tadeo ∙ Lallane Villarin ∙ Jamaika VillasHead coach: Bryan Esquibel Letran Lady Knights–2012-13 NCAA Season 88 roster Patricia Anne Belleza ∙ Jan Juno Carreon ∙ Melissa Mae Cu ∙ Sarah Jane Espelita ∙ Yvette Forto ∙ Honey Kris Laserna ∙ Mikaela Lopez ∙ Cynthia Molina ∙ Queennie Mondejar ∙ Monique Joy Pablo ∙ Justyne Mae Tadeo ∙ Jamaika Rikka VillasHead coach: Bryan Esquibel Letran Lady Knights–2017-18 NCAA Season 93 roster Elizza Abitan ∙ Julia Angeles ∙ Entezar Bangcola ∙ Kathleen Barrinuevo ∙ Jan Juno Carreon ∙ Mariel Larioque ∙ Honey Kris Laserna ∙ Mikaela Lopez ∙ Miracle Mhae Mendoza ∙ Jaymeleene Parin ∙ Marie Charlmagne Simborio ∙ Glayssa TorresHead coach: Michael Inoferio Letran Lady Knights–2019-20 NCAA Season 95 roster Julia Angeles ∙ Julienne Rose Castro ∙ Chamberlaine Cuñada ∙ Kathleen Dela Cruz ∙ Daisy Melendres ∙ Kristine Joy Miranda ∙ Khryss Anne Monteagudo ∙ Edna Ann Musngi ∙ Dane Iam Ohya ∙ Erica Mae Santos ∙ Marie Charlmagne Simborio ∙ Rio Trina Soriano ∙ Lea Rizel Tapang ∙ Shereena UrmenetaHead coach: Bryan Esquibel Letran Lady Knights–2021-22 NCAA Season 97 roster Angel Afgao ∙ Cristine Kate Calixto ∙ Julienne Rose Castro ∙ Chamberlaine Cuñada ∙ Kathleen Dela Cruz ∙ Royce Dela Cruz ∙ Natalie Marie Estreller ∙ Lastlie Jade Isar ∙ Angelique Ledesma ∙ Clarence Marcos ∙ Daisy Melendres ∙ Khryss Anne Monteagudo ∙ Edma Anne Musngi ∙ Alyssa Jeremay Santos ∙ Lara Mae Silva ∙ Lea Rizel Tapang ∙ Shereena UrmenetaHead coach: Michael Inoferio Letran Lady Knights–2022-23 NCAA Season 98 roster Keiara Marie Almirante ∙ Julienne Rose Castro ∙ Chamberlaine Cuñada ∙ Kathleen Dela Cruz ∙ Trisha Dequilla ∙ Natalie Marie Estreller ∙ Lastlie Jade Isar ∙ Angelique Ledesma ∙ Daisy Melendres ∙ Edma Anne Musngi ∙ Marie Judiel Nitura ∙ Andre Roshe Relucio ∙ Alyssa Jeremay Santos ∙ Lara Mae Silva ∙ Lea Rizel Tapang ∙ Shereena UrmenetaHead coach: Michael Inoferio Letran Lady Knights–2023-24 NCAA Season 99 runners-up Keiara Marie Almirante ∙ Cristine Kate Calixto ∙ Royce Dela Cruz ∙ Trisha Dequilla ∙ Natalie Marie Estreller ∙ Lastlie Jade Isar ∙ Angelique Ledesma ∙ Nizelle Aeriyen Martin ∙ Gia Marcel Maquilang ∙ Jogi Maquilang ∙ Daisy Melendres ∙ Marie Judiel Nitura ∙ Andre Roshe Relucio ∙ Alyssa Jeremay Santos ∙ Lara Mae Silva ∙ Lea Rizel Tapang ∙ Aziejay Andrea YapHead coach: Oliver Almadro Letran Lady Knights–2024-25 NCAA Season 100 runners-up Edcynth Pearl Brago ∙ Verenicce Colendra ∙ Royce Dela Cruz ∙ Natalie Marie Estreller ∙ Marbey Allen Enverga ∙ Hizki Flores ∙ Lastlie Jade Isar ∙ Nizelle Aeriyen Martin ∙ Gia Marcel Maquilang ∙ Marjorie Napal ∙ Marie Judiel Nitura ∙ Leonilyn Padilla ∙ Joralyn Panangin ∙ Sheena Vanessa Sarie ∙ Lara Mae Silva ∙ Princess Zyne TumayaoHead coach: Oliver Almadro Letran Lady Knights–2025-26 NCAA Season 101 champions Verenicce Colendra ∙ Natalie Marie Estreller ∙ Marbey Allen Enverga ∙ Hizki Flores ∙ Lastlie Jade Isar ∙ Nizelle Aeriyen Martin ∙ Gia Marcel Maquilang ∙ Marjorie Napal ∙ Marie Judiel Nitura ∙ Leonilyn Padilla ∙ Joralyn Panangin ∙ Sheena Vanessa Sarie ∙ Syra Joy Silorio ∙ Lara Mae Silva ∙ Princess Zyne TumayaoHead coach: Marietta CarolinoAsst. coaches: Aleksi Markus Lähteenmäki ∙ Ludlo Dulce ∙ Kayce BalingitStudent manager: Keiara Almirante ∙ Trainers: Enrico Rafael Francisco ∙ Patrick Marquez
Team honors NCAA
Letran Lady Knights (partial awards)Year Season TitleRef 1977-78 53 Champions 1978-79 54 Champions 1979-80 55 Champions 1980-81 56 Champions 1981-82 57 Champions 1985-86 61 Champions 1997-98 73 Champions 1998-99 74 Champions2005-0681 3rd place2006-0782 Runner-up 2007-0883 3rd place2010-1186 Runner-up 2011-1287 Runner-up 2023-2499 Runner-up2024-25100 Runner-up 2025-26101Champions
SSL Letran Lady KnightsSeasonConference TitleRef 2022 Pre-Season 13th place 2023 Pre-Season 13th place2024 Invitationals 3rd place Pre-Season 12th place2025 Invitationals 3rd place Pre-Season 15th place2026 Invitationals 3rd place Pre-Season —
SVL/PVL/V-League Letran Lady KnightsSeasonConference TitleRef2004 1st 5th place 2nd 3rd place2007 1st 8th place 2nd 8th place 2012 1st 9th Place 2013 1st 9th place2019 Collegiate 9th place 2024 Collegiate 6th place 2025 Collegiate 5th place
PNVF Letran Lady KnightsSeasonConference TitleRef 2023 Challenge Cup 3rd place
Notable players
Head coaches Nes Pamilar
See also Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Letran Knights, Lady Knights and Squires
NCAA volleyball championships
References