Against stiff competition, Bali Pure’s Grethcel Soltones earned the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference MVP plum.
The National Team standout was able breakaway from a tight statistical race against UAAP legend and Bali Pure teammate Alyssa Valdez and Pocari Sweat’s leading scorer Myla Pablo.
The power-hitting Cebuana humbly accepted another MVP award and the notion that she is at-par with Valdez and Pablo.
“Mga idol ko po ‘yun. Okay lang naman sa feeling. Siguro mas nabigyan lang ako nang pagkakataon this conference,” Soltones said.
The 20 year old open hitter capped the conference with a 19-point performance in Bali Pure’s bronze medal-clinching match last Saturday at the historic PhilSports Arena.
She now has her sights set on preparing for the NCAA season and leading perennial contenders San Sebastian College of Recoletos Lady Stags. Baste is set to compete in the SVL Collegiate Conference, a pivotal preseason tournament for college teams, which starts on July 30.
“Wala na kaming rest, training na agad kasi parang may chance din kami makapasok sa Final Four ng Collegiate. Sana,” the 20 year old remarked admitting she feels the added pressure after just winning MVP in a club league.
“Malaki po (pressure) kasi kita naman po na hindi lang ako sa NCAA ang maganda nilaro dito (Open Conference). Siguro double time na lang ako sa ensayo.”
The pressure grows exponentially when the NCAA season starts on December. The two-time NCAA MVP has never won a collegiate championship after three trips to the Finals where she has a 1-7 all-time record.
Soltones could wind up with the bothersome distinction of being one of the first Lady Stags to leave the program without ever winning a championship since head coach Roger Gorayeb took charge.
“Last year ko na po so crucial na talaga. Nakakafrustrate talaga matalo ng natalo sa Finals. Nandoon na kami pero kulang talaga. Sana this year maabot na namin,” the Lady Stag closed.
