The eight-woman San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags finally broke out of their slump, receiving a boost from Nikka Dalisay to slip past the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The veteran winger, Dalisay compiled a season-high 19 points to lead the Stags in breaking a two-game losing streak.
According to Lady Stags head coach Roger Gorayeb, beating a fellow Final Four aspirant in College of Saint Benilde could be the boost his under-manned team needs to rescue their season.
“‘Yung mga huling laban namin may halong malas, may halong masyadong mataas na kumpiyansa namin kaya nahirapan talaga kami,” lamented Gorayeb.
“Ngayon kamuntikan nanaman kaming madisgrasya pero nahanapan naman ng paraan ng mga bata. Medyo nabawasan na ‘yung mga error namin kumpara sa mga nakaraan na laro. Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang kami,” added Gorayeb as his squad surrendered just 26 errors, much less than the 41.5 his team averaged in their last two matches.
In contrast, the Lady Blazers coughed up 43 errors, negating their decisive height and power advantage.
Lady Stags team captain Joyce Sta. Rita fought through a right ankle sprain and scored 12 points while Daurene Santos added 11.
The Lady Stags (2-2) take on the winless Mapua University (0-4) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Middle blocker Ranya Musa led the Lady Blazers with 15 points, all off attacks. Diane Ventura chipped in 14 markers.
The Lady Blazers (2-2) face the struggling Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-4) on Monday.
The Scores
SSC-R (3) – Dalisay 19, Sta. Rita 12, Santos 11, Encarnacion 6, Amponin 5, Guillema 0, Eroa (L)
CSB (1) – Musa 15, Ventura 14, Austero 13, Abriam 9, Daguil 7, Cardiente 3, Enginco 1, Pablo 1, Cui 0, Dolorito 0, Lim (L), Torres (L)
