Returning Soltones carries Smart past Sta. Lucia in PSL All-Filipino opener
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Grethcel Soltones reintroduced herself to the Philippine Superliga stage after lifting Smart past Sta. Lucia, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23, at the start of the All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Soltones fired a game-high 17 points in only her first game back after a one-year hiatus.
Article continues after this advertisement“I’m very happy to be back after one year,” said Soltones, who was a member of the national team that saw action in the AVC Asian Women’s Cup early this month.
“We’re very happy to play in a high-level tournament.”
The game also marked the return of Smart head coach Roger Gorayeb in the PSL after five years.
Article continues after this advertisement“I’m happy with the win, we’ve prepared for this and I want all of my players to gain confidence as early as today,” Gorayeb said.
The Giga Hitters scored five unanswered points to break a 19-19 deadlock before the Lady Realtors pulled within one, 24-23.
Fortunately for Smart, Soltones was there for the game-clinching attack.
Pam Lastimosa had eight points for Sta. Lucia, which played minus Chinchin Basas and Filipino-American star MJ Philips.
