In the battle of two undefeated teams, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags proved that experience trumps youth, in a decisive three-set victory against the San Beda College Lady Red Spikers, 25-16, 25-13, 25-16, Thursday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Center.
The Intramuros spikers bucked a sluggish start to carve out the win, with reigning MVP Gretchel Soltones firing off 20 of the team’s 46 attacks.
San Sebastian were dealt a blow, as outside hitter Dangie Encarnacion fell awkwardly after a kill attempt in the middle of the second set. “Swelling lang po,” Encarnacion said about her sprained right ankle.
The Lady Red Spikers, on the other hand, managed to convert only 19 of their 76 spike attempts. Reception woes haunted the white-shirts throughout the match.
Vima Guillema produced 27 excellent sets to get the Stags’ offense clicking. Middle hitter Joyce Sta Rita led the supporting cast with eight markers off six spikes and two aces.
Head coach Roger Gorayeb was pleased with the determination of his Lady Stags. He said, “Gusto namin mag-champion. Ang goal namin mag-Finals ulit. Para maging ganun, kailangan kami, isa’t isa ganun ang objective. Dapat pagsikapan namin.”
For the multi-titled mentor, the team had made full use of having powerful scorer in Soltones and, most especially, their exposure to different leagues.
“Yun yung advantage namin sa kalaban namin. [We] might as well use it,” he ended.
San Sebastian (4-0) put their unbeaten record at stake when they face on Tuesday, December 6. Meanwhile, the Lady Red Spikers (3-1) will attempt to bounce back when they face the JRU Lady Bombers (2-2) the day before.
The Scores:
SSC-R (3) – Soltones 21, Sta. Rita 8, Villegas 6, Dalisay 6, Guillema 4, Santos 3, Oliveros 3, Lim 3, Tiangco 1, Encarnacion 1, Eroa L.
SBC (0) – C Racraquin 11, N Viray 4, Cuevas 3, Espiritu 3, Amador 2, J Viray 1, Domingo 0, Manuel 0, Tannagan 0, D Racraquin L.
