San Sebastian opens post-Grethcel Soltones era with sweep of EAC

With the Iron Lady Gretchel Soltones leaving the folds of the San Sebastian College-Recoletos, the Lady Stags ushered in a new era with another win.

Newly installed team captain Joyce Sta. Rita and the rest of the nine-women Lady Stags squad fended off the challenge of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Generals in three sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-16, Thursday afternoon at the Fil-Oil Flying V Centre.

Service was the main weapon that the Stags used to deny their opponents a decent chance at transition, as they piled up the leads in all the three sets. The red-shirts finished with 12 service aces.

Nonetheless, it was also San Sebastian’s errors — mostly from the same area — that gave the Taft-based squad confidence and opportunities in attack.

“Yun naging advantage namin. Pag pumasok yung bola namin, di nila ma-receive,” long-time mentor Roger Gorayeb said.

The seasoned coach, on the flip side, had to comment on their errors. “May singilan kami sa service errors. Madami.”

However, setter Vira Guillema just had too many options on offense, as the Lady Stags marched with the win in just three sets. The Lady Stags overwhelmed with 44 spikes as opposed to EAC’s 17.

Four players registered 13 points for San Sebastian, paced by Sta. Rita’s all-around production of 13 markers that came off seven attacks, four aces, and two blocks. Nikka Dalisay, Dangie Encarnacion, and Daurene Santos tallied 13 points as well.

On the other hand, Jaylene Lumbo topbilled the Lady Generals with six markers.

San Sebastian (1-0) will try to do better when they face Jose Rizal University on Monday, January 8. EAC (0-1) will tackle defending champions Arellano University on Sunday, January 7.

The Scores:

SSC-R (3) – Sta. Rita 13, Dalisay 13, Santos 13, Encarnacion 13, Amponin 6, Eroa (L), Guillema 0.

EAC (0) – Lumbo 6, Magbanua 6, Tongco 4, Pablo 4, Chan 2, Yongco 2, Tasis 1, Binondo 1, Reyes 0, Medina L.