SSC spikers endure tough run for '6-peat' run for record six-peat

MANILA, Philippines - It has been a tough ride for San Sebastian College to achieve its sixth straight crown in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.

But in the end, it’s the championship spirit that counts for the Lady Stags, who remained the league’s winningest squad.

 “You can’t put a good team down,” said San Sebastian mentor Roger Gorayeb.

One of the bemedaled volleyball coaches in the country, Gorayeb has guided the Lady Stags in 22 of their 24 NCAA titles.

Gorayeb succeeded in drawing the best from his players in every game, especially in the season where most of their rivals waged serious challenge against the team’s reign in the league.

“You really have to show them the way, guide them. When we lost the first set to Letran, you could see they’re under pressure,” said Gorayeb.

The Lady Stags finished third in the eliminations with a 7-1 win-loss record and placed second to the Lady Knights in the semifinals.

San Sebastian bucked an error-prone game to hammer out a 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18 victory over Letran in the series opener.

The Lady Stags clinched the crown, but not after battling out from a two-set deficit to score a 22-25, 22-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 win over the Lady Knights.

Team skipper Bonsai Mirasol has completed her playing years for San Sebastian, but the Recto-based spikers are still a force to reckon with two-time MVP Joy Benito, Elaine Cruz and Dafna Robiños still around together with rookies Karen Berbano, Bea Uy and libero Mae Crisostomo.

The “six-peat” by San Sebastian is the longest since the Lady Stags won 11 straight from the mid-80s to the 90s.

The triumph also somehow eased San Sebastian’s pain of losing the centerpiece basketball title to San Beda, which completed its romp with a historic sweep.

“It’s a happy feeling winning it for the school, we’re proud of the team’s accomplishment,” said Management Committee chair Frank Gusi of San Sebastian.