The NCAA runners-up San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags repelled the fresh-from-the-PSL University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas, 27-25, 25-22, 25-22, in the opening day of the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Altas valiantly trumped a 22-24 deficit in the opening set through the clutch serving of Bianca Tripoli. Perpetual bolted to a 25-24 lead before coughing up three straight attack errors to give the Lady Stags the set.
The Lady Stags then capitalized on the fatigued Lady Altas in the next two sets. San Sebastian took a 15-9 lead in the second set then a 16-10 lead in the third set before Perpetual mounted futile late rallies.
“Malaking panalo ito kasi maikli lang naman ang tournament na ito. Kaunti lang ang pagkakataon namin makakuha ng panalo,” said San Sebastian assistant coach Clint Malanzo who sat in for head coach Roger Gorayeb.
San Sebastian is in the same group as Gorayeb’s UAAP team, the National University Lady Bulldogs, and he did not want to show favor to either one.
Grethcel Soltones tallied 20 points with 14 digs and six excellent receptions. The rest of the Lady Stags scored 21 markers combined.
“Ito lang ‘yung unang tournament na sinalihan namin since natalo kami sa NCAA Finals kaya sobrang kailangan namin makakuha ng experience ngayon,” expressed Malanzo.
Perpetual, who had just lost to the Generika Lifesavers in the PSL earlier today, was led by team captain Cindy Imbo who scored 11 points. Towering Lourdes Clemente added nine points.
SSC-R (1-0) takes on National U (0-0) on August 3 at the PhilSports Arena. UPHSD (0-1) faces the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady Engineers (0-0) on August 10 also at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
SSC-R (3) – Soltones 20, Villegas 9, Sta. Rita 4, Encarnacion 2, Lim 2, Dalisay 1, Guillema 1, Pingoy 1, Santos 1, Tianco 0, Oliveros 0, Eroa (L)
UPHSD (0) – Imbo 11, Clemente 9, Tripoli 7, Raterta 4, Bravo 3, Suyat 3, Sanggalang 1, Verzosa 1, Gual 0, Rosal 0, Umandal 0, Medalla (L)
