No slowing down for streaking Lady Stags in NCAA beach volley

PUERTO GALERA – Despite being the first squad to clinch a semis spot, last year’s runner-up San Sebastian College aren’t taking things lightly entering the Final Four of the 89th NCAA beach volleyball tournament here.

The ravenous duo of Czarina Berbano and Gretchel Soltones are a game away from a sweep, touting an unblemished 8-0 win-loss record as they sat at the top spot with University of Perpetual Help System Dalta following with a 7-1 card.

On Friday, the Recto-based belles outlasted Mapua Institute of Technology (21-9, 21-10), Lyceum of the Philippines University, (21-11, 21-16) and San Beda College (21-7, 21-10).

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But the quest for dominance in the eliminations will be interesting as they go against their former tormentors, the defending back-to-back champion Lady Altas.

San Sebastian and Perpetual will once again clash Saturday morning in an anticipated finals rematch for their last game entering the Final Four.

“All out pa rin kami kasi kailangan namin yung momentum pagpasok ng semis,” said Berbano and Soltones, who are seeking vengeance against the tandem of Vhima Condada and Jamela Suyat.

Condada and Suyat are actually rookies this season after veterans April Sartin and Norie Jane Diaz opted to skip the competition to focus on their academics.

“Syempre gusto naming bumawi kahit hindi sila yung nakalaban namin last year,” they added.

Related story: Streaking Lady Altas, Lady Stags snatch 4th straight win

The Lady Stags know that they cannot give Perpetual even a tinge of confidence, knowing the capacity of their opponents who just completed a three-peat in the indoor games earlier this month.

“Ganun pa rin dapat andun yung eagerness namin na manalo, ayaw naming sila bigyan ng kompiyansa,” former rookie of the year Soltones disclosed.

Coach Clint Malazo echoed the statements of her girls, adding that they will rely on their experience.

“Ang advantage namin is experience but it is not absolute and guaranteed,” Malazo admitted. “Hindi kami pwede mag-relax kasi baka lumabas yung tunay nilang laro pag kami na ang kalaban.”

Arellano University (6-2) and San Beda are sitting at the third and fourth places, respectively, their chances of making it to the next round depending on their games Saturday.