San Sebastian survived gritty Letran, 28-26, 25-14, 24-26, 24-26, 15-7, to claim a share of the lead with defending champion St. Benilde in the women’s division of the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
Joyce Sta. Rita, Nikkma Mariel Dalisay, Dangie Encarnacion and Katherine Villegas picked up slack when reigning back-to-back MVP Grethcel Soltones struggled by firing 15, 12, 12 and 11 hits, respectively, to seal the Lady Stags their third win in row.
Soltones had a hard time finding her rhythm but still wound up with 15 points, 12 of which came on kills.
San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, who missed their first two games, said his team was overconfident.
“It almost cost us the game,” said Gorayeb. “This is a single-round robin elimination and all the games here matter.”