Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Not even a fever can stop Grethcel Soltones from unleashing her scoring prowess.
Soltones, the defending NCAA MVP, shrugged off her fever and had a hotter game than her body temperature unleashing 23 points in a spirited effort San Sebastian as it dismantled University of Santo Tomas in four sets, 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19.
Lady Stags head coach Clint Malzanonsaid Soltones even asked for medication before the team warmed up at Philsports Arena Wednesday.
“Siguro adrenaline na lang, fighter eh,” said Malzano.
For Soltones, though, resting was not an option and she doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight with her healthier teammates.
“Medyo kapos pa po kanina pero hindi pwede ilabas kasi dikdikan yung laban eh, kailangan ako sa loob,” said Soltones. “Hindi naman po [naramdaman yung pangangailangan sa loob] kasi nagko contribute naman bawat isa so okay lang naman yung team.”
Soltones may have finished upwards of 20 points, but she got steady help from Joyce Sta. Rita and Katherine Villegas.
Her two sidekicks had nine points apiece with Villegas scoring the final point for San Sebastian’s win in its first quarterfinals game in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi mas nagiging mature na yung iba sa amin na unlike before, parati lang na sa akin yung bola,” said Soltones. “Ngayong season na ito nagtutulung tulungan kami.”