Games Thursday
2 p.m. – Baguio vs Navy
4 p.m. – Coast Guard vs Army
PRESS RELEASE
PLDT Home Ultera put on a 69-minute demolition of Fourbees-Perpetual Help. 25-20, 25-17, 25-13, to complete a sweep of the single round elims of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Coach Roger Gorayeb used the match to work on new combinations which he could employ when action in the season-opening conference of the league where it all started heats up after the Asian Women’s U-23 Volley Championship this weekend.
“We want to give equal chance to all my players to see action and I’m impressed with how my second group delivered,” said Gorayeb.
He was most particular on former San Sebastian ward Laurence Ann Latigay, who delivered nine hits, including two blocks, in a two-set stint to help power the Ultra Fast Spikers to their seventh straight victory in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.
“She’s getting back to her old form and she will be a crucial part in our campaign,” said Gorayeb of Latigay.
Cagayan Valley also fashioned out a straight-set 25-21, 25-19, 25-21 victory a skidding Meralco later in the day to grab the second semis berth on a 5-1 slate.
The Power Spikers, who dropped a five-set heartbreaker to the Ultra Fast Spikers last Sunday, fell to joint fourth with the Lady Altas at 2-3 with the defending champion Army Lady Troopers a cinch to nail the third Final Four seat with a 4-1 card.
League scoring leader Alyssa Valdez, who will spearhead the national team in the Asian U-23, still topscored with 13 hits while playing in the opening and third sets while Jaja Santiago, the league’s top blocker who will also see action in the Asian meet, continued to showcase her offensive prowess after a 14-point effort against Meralco two days ago, tossing in 10 markers.
Jem Ferrer also shared the setting chores with starter Rubie de Leon, producing 10 of the team’s 21 excellent sets while Elaine Kasilang and Ma. Asuncion Mendiola provided quality minutes and combined for six hits.
Jamel Suyat fired 10 points for Perpetual, which also drew seven hits from Marijo Medalla and six markers from Shallane Eniong but the Lady Altas fell to 2-4 and in danger of missing the semifinal round of the event backed by Mikasa and Accel.
Meanwhile, the PLDT-Perpetual match will be shown on GMA News TV Channel 11 starting at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) with the Cagayan-Meralco duel to be aired tomorrow, according to the organizing Sports Vision.
