The Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa tandem of the defending champions San Sebastian Lady Stags booked the last Finals berth after defeating the Jannine Navarro and Melanie Torres combo of the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in straight sets, 21-17, 21-19, earlier at the Subic Bay Boardwalk Beach.
With this win, the Lady Stags will face the still undefeated Viray twins of the San Beda Lady Red Spikers later, 12 noon, at the sands of the Subic Park Hotel.
“Okay lang po kasi natalo nila [San Beda] kami so [dapat] maximize namin advantage namin against them,” Soltones told Tiebreaker Times. “Mas nagcocomunicate kami and medyo alam na namin laro nila, alam na namin kung saan kami nagkamali noong elimination round.”
Soltones also added that she is more motivated this time since his original partner, Dangie Encarnacion, sustained a lip injury that required stitches during their elimination round encounter against San Beda. For the rest of the tournament, Alyssa Eroa took place for the injured Encarnacion.
“Sobrang laki po talaga kasi sobrang down ko that time kasi naaksidente ‘yung first partner ko,” Soltones added. “Sino ba naman matutuwa doon? Siguro, everything happens for a reason.”
However, San Sebastian expected that the Viray twins will give them a tough challenge. Given their experience in playing beach volleyball, it will surely be handful to them in defending their precious title.
“Itong twins kasi magaling sila kahit bata sila. May experience sila since Grade 5 naglalaro na sila ng beach volley. So kami, we’re playing for four years,” Soltones closed. “Ayaw ko lang isipin na pressure kasi hindi mo maeenjoy ‘yung game.”
