The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags were so good that everyone on their active roster got to play in their decisive win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Generals, 25-13, 25-20, 25-22, in the NCAA Season 92 Women’s Volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Every non-libero Lady Stag managed to score, led by three-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones, who powered in 12 points. Iriish Oliveros and Danna Amponin each had nine markers. Only setter Vira Guillema played all three frames, tossing 40 excellent sets.
The Lady Generals fell behind quickly in the first two sets due to their inconsistent reception. They had their chance in the third frame when the Lady Stags started without Soltones. The ladies from San Marcelino rallied to tie with the Lady Stags, 20-all. But Soltones came back in the game and restored order, as the Lady Stags immediately went up by three and close the match.
“Gusto ko kasi sila matuto mag-isip mag-isa. Marunong na kasi sila maglaro, maging independent na lang ang kailangan nila matutunan [kaya hindi ako masyadong nagsasalita sa mga huddle kanina],” commented San Sebastian head coach Roger Gorayeb, who stressed his team’s need to develop maturity.
“Sa ngayon wala pa kami sa level na kailangan namin para makuha ‘yung championship. Kaunting gelling pa, kaunting pagmamature as a team, maaabot namin ‘yun,” he added.
After the reigning champs Saint Benilde Lady Blazers’ surprisingly lost their first match earlier in the day, the Lady Stags claimed the top spot on standings with a 5-0 record.
Ladeisheen Magbanua led the Lady Generals with nine points, while Yvette Yongco added eight.
The Lady Stags next face the JRU Lady Bombers (2-2) next Monday. The Lady Generals fall to 0-5 and take on the Lady Blazers (4-1), also next Monday.
The Scores
SSC-R (3) – Soltones 12, Oliveros 9, Villegas 9, Sta. Rita 8, Dalisay 5, Santos 4, Amponin 3, Tiangco 3, Guillema 2, Eroa (L), Cruz (L)
EAC (0) – Magbanua 9, Tongco 8, Rasing 5, Santos 3, Lumbo 2, Yongco 2, Binondo 1, Delos Santos 1, Chan 0, Castillo (L), Medina (L)
