SAN Sebastian College and Jose Rizal University square off today in the stepladder semifinals of the 97th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The knockout match is set at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing against No. 2 Arellano University at a date still to be determined at the same venue.
Waiting in the finals is College of St. Benilde, which completed an elimination sweep that turned the playoffs into a stepladder battle instead of the traditional Final Four.
“Magtra-training kami as hard as we can para maalis iyong iba naming mga error sa laro but hindi ko alam kung paano ko ibu-build iyong character nila. Kasi iyong character mabu-build mo through the years in exposure, experience, ganyang mga klaseng laro,” San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb said.
The Lady Stags came off a 25-15, 25-22, 27-25 victory over Letran last Sunday.
San Sebastian will lean on the likes of Reyann Cañete, Katherine Santos, Kristine Dionisio, Kamille Tan, Bianca Ordona, setter Alexia Sison and libero and skipper Jewelle Bermillo
The Lady Bombers are out to score a follow-up to their dramatic 25-11, 16-25, 17-25, 25-21, 17-15 decision over Lyceum three days ago to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
“Of course, malakas ang San Sebastian and we respect that so kailangan namin talagang pagbutihin on our side iyong defense namin and iyong consistency kasi doon kami minsan nahihirapan sa consistency,” JRU strategist Mia Tioseco said. — Abby Toralba
