CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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.
“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.
“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.