Setter Natalie Estreller is graduating as a champion—and she is might proud of what she has accomplished and given to the Letran Lady Knights.
On Friday, Natalie Estreller and the rest of the Lady Knights ended a 27-year title drought for Letran after they beat the Beninlde Lady Blazers to win the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball championship.
In the climactic Game 3 final last Friday against Benilde, the 24-year-old orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and a point to help finally end the squad’s title drought.
Afterwards, Natalie spoke exclusively with Rebanse and shared that she had leaned on bravery throughout her career—and that her surname is now in the record books because of it.
“‘Yung legacy ko lang po talaga is ‘yon, ‘yung apelyido ko and kung gaano ka-brave ako na maglaro sa five years ko sa NCAA and siyempre po yung Letran talaga,” Estreller said.
Natalie Estreller: A Paragon of Bravery
The pride of Ormoc City certainly needed every ounce of that bravery, having endured back-to-back finals losses to Benilde before finally breaking through.
“Ngayon talaga siyempre po ‘yung tapang talaga. Dapat talaga hindi siya nawawala. All the time dapat nandiyan siya,” she added.
One of the more impressive statistics of her season is that Natalie played all 20 of Letran’s games—a feat few players in the league could accomplish. She backed up her presence with her play.
“Kasi as long as matapang ka, mabibigay mo lahat sa game,” Estreller added.
Trusting the Future of the Lady Knights
Much like Finals MVP Judiel Nitura, Natalie Estreller leaves with full confidence in the players who remain.
“May tiwala pa din ako sa mga matitira kasi hindi lang po sila basta-basta na player. Alam ko po na kaya nila at alam ko pong kung gaano sila ka-brave maglaro,” Natalie concluded.
The future, by all indications, is bright for Letran.
Gia Maquilang is the most likely candidate to take on the team captain role in her graduating year, with Vanessa Sarie positioned to become the primary offensive option. Leonilyn Padilla figures to take on a bigger role on the defensive end, and Joralyn Panangin may well find herself in the starting lineup come Season 102.
Whatever decisions head coach Mayeth Carolino and assistant coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki make heading into the next season, this team has already proven one thing beyond doubt: they can win it all.
