Lady Stags start bid vs Lady Altas

Grethcel Soltones. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

THE SPOTLIGHT will be on Grethcel Soltones as she leads a battle-tested San Sebastian crew against Perpetual Help today at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Coming off a stellar Open Conference stint with BaliPure where she claimed a first league Most Valuable Player award, the 20-year-old Soltones will once again be at the forefront of the Lady Stags’ bid in the tournament featuring top UAAP and NCAA teams.

Known for her jump serves and powerful spikes, the Cebu native hopes to carry the Lady Stags to at least a semifinal stint after winning just once in five matches last year when she was hobbled by a shoulder injury.

“We’re a veteran team and I have faith in my teammates that we’ll do better this conference,” said Soltones, also the NCAA MVP.

The youthful Lady Altas, led by Jamela Suyat are no pushovers, having reached the Final Four in last year’s NCAA tournament.

University of the Philippines also sees action today against newcomer San Beda at 4 p.m.

Keeping the core of the lineup that claimed third place in the Open Conference, the Lady Maroons are fancied to start their campaign in impressive fashion.

All Shakey’s V-League games, set Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, will be shown live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23, tournament organizer Sports Vision said.

The Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference also kicks off today, with La Salle battling St. Benilde at 11 a.m. Cedelf P. Tupas