SSC belles rip Knights, near NC volley sweep

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian clobbered Letran, 25-11, 25-17, 25-15, yesterday to move two wins away from sweeping the eliminations in the 91st NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Gretchel Soltones, the reigning league MVP, pounded the Lady Knights with 13 hits as the Lady Stags notched their seventh straight win and closer to a huge “thrice-to-beat” advantage.

The volleyball competition is using a new format similar to basketball where the top four teams after single-round elims will advance to the Final Four with the Nos. 1 and 2 teams gaining twice-to-beat edges against the Nos. 4 and 3 squads, respectively.

A sweep, however, will send the team straight to the finals where it will enjoy a 1-0 edge in a best-of-five series with the next three teams battling in a stepladder semifinals.

San Sebastian faces Lyceum of the Phl U on Friday before taking on St. Benilde on Sunday.

“We’re hoping to sweep but it will not be easy,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, coming off an impressive campaign last season with three victories in the Shakey’s V-League and a coaching stint with the national women’s team.

Defending champion Arellano U is at No. 2 with a 6-1 (win-loss) record while St. Benilde and Perpetual Help are at Nos. 3 and 4 with 5-1 and 4-2 slates, respectively.

In men’s play, San Sebastian bested Letran, 18-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-23, to improve to 3-4.