SAN Sebastian College enhanced its Final Four bid with a 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19 over University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Stags improved their mark to 2-1 and officially eliminated the Tigresses in the semifinal race after absorbing their fourth straight loss in as many games.
Reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and last conference’s Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones led San Sebastian with 23 points including nine excellent receptions, while libero Alyssa Eroa protected the floor with 30 digs and 13 receives.
“Buti naman gumana ‘yung mga players kasi medyo bago sa amin ‘tong quarterfinals. Ngayon nagsisikap talaga ‘yung mga bata,” San Sebastian Assistant Coach Clint Malazo said. “Mabuti napanalo namin ‘yung unang laro at mabuti nabaliktad namin, kasi delikadong kalaban ang UST.”
UST, which still played without EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina due to a tournament in Thailand of Foton Pilipinas, kissed its semifinal hopes good-bye as it dropped to 0-4 record despite the 16-point output of Eya Laure.
In Spikers’ Turf, De La Salle slip past Philippine Merchant Marine School (PMMS) in three tight sets, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22, to force a four-way tie on top in Group A.
The win gave the Green Spikers a 3-1 win-loss card and joined Far Eastern University, National University and University of Perpetual Help at the top of their group.
Reymark Woo, La Salle’s most consistent scorer and is the league’s top 5 scorers had only seven hits but his teammates carried the scoring load for the Green Spikers.
Mike Frey and Cris Dumago led the charge with 11 and 10 hits, respectively, for La Salle. Arjay Onia added nine markers, while playmaker Geuel Asia had 35 excellent sets
The win by the Green Spikers eliminated the Mariners, who were led by Keyvin Premaylon’s 11 points. PMMS dropped to 0-4.
Meanwhile, Jason Canlas led National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) for its first conference after beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, in a battle of winless teams in Group B.
Canlas flourished for the Wildcats with 19 points on 17 kills and a pair of blocks, including a brilliant floor defense of 16 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
PMMS also drew solid game from setter Lee Nidua, who paced the team with 47 excellent sets. Darul Valenzuela and Ralph Oclima chipped in 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Wildcats.
Israel Encina and Kerth Melliza tallied 23 and 17 points, respectively, for the Generals, who slid to 0-4.
Image credits: Alysa Salen