It was the best of times and it was the worst of times for the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags all in one game.
Last season’s runners-up nearly caught the upset axe against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights but mustered a strong push in the fifth set to secure their third win in the NCAA Season 92 Women’s Volleyball Tournament 28-26, 25-14, 24-26, 24-26, 15-7 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
It was apparent right from the first set that this was going to be a grueling encounter. The Lady Stags’ main players were off target as everything from their hitting to their ball control were uncharacteristically out of wack.
“Kita naman na sobrang baba nang nilaro ng first six ko. No offense to Letran, pero hindi dapat ganyan ang nilalaro naman – napakababa talaga. Napilitan talaga akong gamitin ‘yung mga nasa bangko kasi kita mong mas ganado ‘yung mga laro nila. Mas lumalamang pa nga kami noong una ko silang pinasok,” said San Sebastian head coach Roger who was fresh off a near two-week Japan sojourn with National U.
Gorayeb had to sub out his two starters in Denice Lim and two-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones for Nikka Dalisay and Dangie Encarnacion. The latter pair saved San Sebastian in a heated first set, scoring the crucial points in a deuce. They then helped clobbered the Lady Knights in the third set.
The Lady Stags looked to have the third frame in control, leading 18-16 after a strong Letran start. But the Lady Stags’ offense deteriorated late, giving up errors and free balls that pushed Letran to survive two match points. The Lady Knights then found aces to take the match into a fourth set.
Even with Soltones back in the fourth set, the Lady Stags continued to struggle as the three-time Best Scorer was still cold. But the two-time beach volleyball champion found her groove late, bringing San Sebastian back from a 21-23 deficit to a deuce. But the Lady Stags stopped their own momentum after squandering consecutive plays and letting Letran get to a decider.
To finish the match, the Lady Stags summoned an inspired performance. The winningest NCAA volleyball program dealt the Lady Knights an insurmountable 6-13 deficit, closing their hopes of an upset.
“We have to go into every game not just wanting to play, we have to go into every game with the intention of winning a championship. Kailangan ‘yung kalaban tumatpat sa level namin hindi kami ‘yung bababa sa level nila,” explained Gorayeb.
Lady Stags’ middle hitters Kath Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita were the most consistent, contributing 12 and 15 points, respectively. Soltones added 15 points while Encarnacion and Dalisay had 12 apiece. The Lady Stags pulled most of their points from aces, scoring on 20 while Letran had just six.
Veteran middle hitter Mikaela Lopez led the Lady Knights with 17 points while FEU transferee Glayssa Torres managed 12. All of the Lady Knights’ losses came in five sets.
Both teams will next play on December 1 with San Sebastian (3-0) taking on the San Beda Lady Red Spikers (2-0) and Letran (0-3) facing the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers (3-0).
The Scores
SSC-R (3) – Soltones 15, Sta. Rita 15, Dalisay 12, Encarnicion 12, Villegas 11, Santos 9, Olivers 6, Guillema 4, Eroa (L)
CSJL (2) – Lopez 17, Torres 12, Barrinuevo 8, Carreon 4, Parin 4, Simborio 4, Abitan 2, Larioque 1, Mendoza 1, Bangcola 0, Angeles (L), Laserna (L)
