The De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers continued their losing streak (3-1) after surrendering to now Finals contenders San Sebastian College (SSC) Lady Stags in the 92nd Season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Volleyball yesterday, January 25, at The Arena, San Juan.

The Lady Blazers, who battled the Lady Stags last year in the Finals, sluggishly began the match after committing a series of errors that gave the Lady Stags an early 17-14 lead. The defending champions capitalized on the defective passes of the Stags and scored their own attacks to seal the first set on their side (25-22).

However, in the following sets, San Beda proved to be the team hungrier for the win and took control of the second set. It was during this time, the Stags’ own Most Valuable Player (MVP) Gretchel Soltones caught fire, rallying her team to claim the second set with a (22-25) victory. Soltones herself scored a season high of 30 points for the game.

The momentum then continued for the Lady Stags, who proceeded to dominate the Lady Blazers in the third and fourth set (25-13, 25-14). Despite Jan Daguil and Rachel Austero’s combined 17 points of the game, the offense of the Lady Blazers could not overpower the defensive strategy of the girls in red and gold. SSC’s Katherine Villegas and Joyce Sta Rita combined for 22 markers that also lit the offensive force of the Lady Stags.

The Lady Blazers now have a record of 6-3 after dropping their second straight game in the second round of the tournament. However, the defending champions are still keeping their heads high as they look to win against San Beda College Red Lions in the Final Four battle. The winner will play versus the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, who are currently enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage.

Whoever wins in that game will come face-to-face with top-seeded and Finals contenders Lady Stags, who have a thrice-to-beat advantage for a flawless record.