27-05-2025
San Sebastian Lady Stags beat EAC to end NCAA Season 100 on high note
NCAA
San Sebastian College-Recoletos defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, to end its NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball campaign on a high note on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Von Dimaculangan stood out in the Lady Stags' last game with 19 out of their 20 excellent sets, to go with five points, as she distributed the ball for three spikers to score in double digits. Divine Garcia had 14 points, while KJ Dionisio and Julia Gonzales had 11 points apiece.
The Lady Stags ended the first round with a 5-4 record but eventually fell short in the second round to finish with a 8-10 card.
According to San Sebastian consultant Roger Gorayeb, the team might have been overconfident after the first round.
"Siguro ang ganda nung nilaro nila, akala nila ganoon na lang din. Overconfident," Gorayeb said, adding that the longer tournament schedule might have also been a factor in their campaign as they needed to adjust.
Gorayeb said on top of improving the Lady Stags' mental toughness, they will also try to recruit new players, especially with setter Dimaculangan leaving as she decided to turn professional.
Cara Dayanan led EAC with 16 points, while Jing Alimen added 15. Jaja Villena, who played her last game as a Lady General, had 12 points, while Alex Razonable also chipped in 12 points as EAC capped the tourney with a 4-14 record.
Assistant coach Sid Gerella said EAC's campaign has already improved compared to last season where they went winless.
"Maganda ang performance ng women's, kailangan lang siguro namin dagdagan pa ang efforts namin and experience pa. For sure, kaya namin maging mas competitive pa. Although galing kami sa zero, good pa rin ang performance kasi hindi kami naka-zero this year and nakalaban kami sa top tier teams kaya good pa rin ang ending ng season," Gerella said as he called the shots with head coach Rod Palmera out due to an emergency.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
