Soltones leads Lady Stags to back-to-back elims sweep

MANILA, Philippines — The San Sebastian Lady Stags overcame a slow start by playing aggressive in the final sets to turn back defending champion St. Benilde, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-14, and sweep their way straight to the finals in the women's division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City Wednesday.

Reigning back-to-back MVP Grethcel Soltones came through with a monster game, unleashing a match-high 30 hits, including 29 on kills to power the Lady Stags to a nine-game sweep of the elimination round and straight to the finals where they will enjoy a thrice-to-beat edge.

It marked the second straight season that San Sebastian swept the eliminations and book an automatic slot in the championship round after also accomplishing the feat a year ago only to get ambushed by eventual winner St. Benilde in the finals.

It will also be the Lady Stags' third straight appearance in the biggest stage but lost the first two including a series against Arellano University two years ago.

San Sebastian, however, does not want to dwell on it and just concentrate on the present.

"Past is past, we have to move forward and try to focus on what we have right now, and that is how to prepare the finals and win the title," said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb in Filipino.

Katherine Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Vira Guillema did the facilitating with 48 excellent hits.

It was the power-hitting Soltones who shone the brightest.

After a struggling in some of her games in the elims, Soltones took the right time to wax hot, stepping up for one of the most crucial games of the year.

And she will need to replicate her efforts in the biggest stage of them all--the finals.

"I hope she (Soltones) sustains her form and the team also," said Gorayeb.

In the second game, Arellano eliminated Perpetual Help, 17-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-13, to clinch the No. 2 seed with an 8-1 mark.

St. Benilde and San Beda wound up third and fourth seeds with identical 6-3 win-loss marks and will tackle each other in a knockout duel at the start of the stepladder semis tomorrow.

The winner of their match will take on No. 2 Arellano, which will enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive.