SAN Sebastian completed a season sweep of the 89th NCAA women's beach volleyball tournament following a 21-12, 17-21, 15-8, victory over Arellano on Saturday at White Beach, Puerto Galera.
The duo of Gretchel Soltones and Czarina Berbano finally won it all to redeem themselves after coming up short last season when they settled for a runner-up finish.
“Sobrang saya po kasi apat na taon na, ngayon lang nag champion,” said the veteran Berbano after the hard-earned win.
The Lady Stags won the tournament with a perfect 12-0 slate.
Coming to the Finals, the San Sebastian pair said it did not let the immaculate record distract them from focusing at the task at hand.
“Hindi po namin inisip 'yun (winning streak) naglaro lang po kami, hindi kami nag-pa-pressure," said Soltones, a sophomore.
After an error-plagued start in the third and final set which Arellano capitalized to close in at 3-4, the Lady Stags recovered their bearings and clinched the title with a 6-2 closing run.
The title was a special gift by the San Sebastian duo to their veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, who wanted them to settle for no less than the championship.
“Ayaw ni coach (Roger) uwian ng t-shirt, wag daw siya bigyan ng pasalubong. Gusto po niya trophy,” said Soltones. “Eto na po 'yun.”
Soltones, the hard-hitting Cebu native, even bagged a bonus when she was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
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