SAN SEBASTIAN College stakes its unbeaten record in its first match for 2017 against streaking University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Lady Stags put their 6-0 (won-lost) record on the line against the Lady Altas, hoping to move closer to at least a playoff for a Final Four berth in the 12:30 p.m. match.
But they have to work extra hard against the Lady Altas, who despite a 4-2 card, are coming off a three-game winning streak.
Defending champion College of Saint Benilde, meanwhile, tries to strengthen its hold of solo second when it battles third-running Arellano University at 11 a.m.
A victory against Perpetual will also push San Sebastian two wins away from sweeping its way straight to the finals, where it will enjoy a thrice-to-beat advantage, while reducing the Final Four to a stepladder confrontation.
The Lady Stags will play the Lyceum of the Philippines Lady Pirates on January 23 and the Lady Blazers two days later.
For San Sebastian Head Coach Roger Gorayeb, it would do her wards well if they take it a game at a time.
“I’m more concerned about how the team prepares each day and not think of a sweep that much because I don’t like to put pressure the firls,” Gorayeb said.
San Sebastian also showed concerns about reigning back-to-back Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones, who is currently second in scoring with an average of 16.17 hits a game—behind Saint Benilde’s Jeanette Panaga’s 17-point norm.
In men’s action, Arellano (5-1) clashes with Saint Benilde (5-1) at 9:30 a.m. and defending champion Perpetual Help (4-1) battles San Sebastian (3-3) at 2 p.m.