Smart-Maynilad, Meralco rip foes

WITH their veterans stepping up, Smart-Maynilad and Meralco hacked out contrasting victories yesterday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Admittedly lacking preparation and a few players short in its lineup, Smart-Maynilad still showed it had more than enough firepower in a 25-16, 25-5, 25-19 smashing of Far Eastern U.

University of Santo Tomas star Maru Banaticla pounced on a porous Lady Tamaraws’ defense, coming away with 19 points to lead a balanced offensive by Smart, which came into the game as among the favorites along with Philippine Army.

Meralco, leaning on the strong play of former La Salle stars Ivy Remulla and Maureen Penetrante-Ouano in crucial moments, outlasted Philippine National Police, 25-17, 17-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9.

Remulla and Penetrante-Ouano struck hardest in the final set to help Meralco complete its comeback from a set down in just under two hours.

“We didn’t expect the match to reach five sets, but we’ll take the victory,” said Meralco coach Oliver Almadro, whose team has only practiced for a week in preparation for the tournament. “Our veterans (Penetrante and Remulla) really carried us in the game.”

Suzanne Roces and Gretchel Soltones contributed nine points each, while Charo Soriano and Mica Guliman combined for 10 for Smart, which had a whopping 19-point edge on attack points with 39.

“We may be short in number (of players) but not in experience,” said Smart coach Roger Gorayeb, who had expressed concern over his team’s lack of preparation.

Gorayeb’s concerns proved unfounded as Rubie de Leon and Jem Ferrer took turns in orchestrating the attack for  Smart, which hardly gave the Lady Tamaraws time to settle in a match they were using to prepare for the coming UAAP wars.

Mary Relmy Palma proved to be the lone bright spot for the overmatched Lady Tamaraws, finishing with 13 points, eight coming off kills and four from blocks.

Steadier when it mattered, Meralco pulled away from 7-6 in the final set with Penetrante-Ouano and Remulla leading the way. Penetrante-Ouano scored on a kill and Maica Morada fired an ace to push the lead to 10-7.

Remulla followed up Stephanie Mercado’s kill, before Penetrante-Ouano struck again to all but wrap  up the match at 13-8. Summoning her fiery form, Remulla put the final nail on PNP’s coffin with a service ace at match point.

Frances Molina paced PNP with 22 points.