GRETCHEL SOLTONES played true to her Most Valuable Player (MVP) form and with a season-high 30 points, led San Sebastian College past defending champion College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-14, for an outright championship berth in Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s volleyball action on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The victory over the same team that denied them of the crown last season allowed the Lady Stags to sweep their way to the championship where they will enjoy a thrice-to-beat advantage over their opponent which has to labor in a step-ladder semifinals.
“We’re happy to be back in the Finals again,” Gorayeb said. “But we will make sure to prepare well and avoid the same mistakes we did last season.”
Back-to-back MVP Soltones marked her remarkable game with 29 kills, enough to power the Lady Stags to a nine-game sweep of the elimination round.
The victory was also sweet revenge for the Lady Stags, who enjoyed the same advantage last season only to lose to the Lady Blazers in the finals series. San Sebastian also figured in the finals of Season 90, but was beaten by Arellano University.
Gorayeb, who has won 20 crowns for San Sebastian, however, stressed the thrice-to-beat advantage doesn’t make their finals bid easier.
“I don’t want to think about the thrice-to-beat because, for me, it’s not an advantage at all,” he said. “We still need to beat our fellow finalist twice so what’s the advantage there? It’s like we’re just ahead by one game.”
Arellano University clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the stepladder semifinals after ousting University of Perpetual Help, 17-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-13.
Arellano University leaned on Jovielyn Prado’s 15 points, as well as Regine Arocha’s 12 hits and Rialen Sante’s 10. Setter Rhea Ramirez had 43 excellent sets for the Lady Chiefs.
The Lady Chiefs, who won their last eight straight games in the elimination round, take on the winner of the no-tomorrow first phase of stepladder semifinals between Saint Benilde and San Beda College on Friday.
Soltones, who is gunning for another MVP trophy this season, had 29 spikes and 13 excellent digs in the match.
Middle blockers Katherine Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita chipped in 12 and 10 hits, respectively, Playmaker Vira Guillema dished out 48 excellent sets and libero Alyssa Eroa has 37 digs and 17 receives for San Sebastian.
In men’s action, Saint Benilde earned a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four as the Blazers avoided the Stags’ upset bid, 25-14, 24-26, 31-29, 25-20.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza