Smart zooms to solo lead

SMART may be lacking personnel but it certainly isn’t short on firepower.

Flaunting its attacking depth, Smart rolled to a second straight triumph by dumping Philippine National Police, 25-14, 25-15, 25-17, yesterday to gain the solo lead in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Smart coach Roger Gorayeb worked with only eight players at his disposal but it hardly mattered as the Smart tossers got the job done with aplomb.

With former MVP Sue Roces leading the attack with 21 hits, including 15 attacks, five service aces and one block, Smart followed up its straight-set conquest of Far Eastern U with another dominant performance.

Later, Cagayan Valley, last year’s losing finalist, debuted in style with a 25-22, 17-25, 25-14, 25-19 smashing of Air Force.

The Rising Suns drew big games from Angeli Tabaquero and Aiza Maizo, who poured 21 and 13 hits, respectively, while Thai imports Kannika Thipachot and Phomia Soraya combined for 24.

Smart pummeled Far Eastern U, 25-16, 25-5, 25-19, in last Sunday’s opener of the season-ending tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel.

There was no letup from Smart yesterday with Gretchel Soltones, the 17-year-old hitter out of San Sebastian, also delivering a solid game of 13 hits she spiked with 11 kills.

Mica Guliman and Charo Soriano added eight and seven points, respectively, Maru Banaticla had four and setters Rubie de Leon and Jem Ferrer combined for three as Gorayeb got the best out of his talented squad.

What made the feat even more remarkable was the fact that former MVP Alyssa Valdez sat out for the second straight game. The top Ateneo hitter will suit up after completing her stint in the UAAP beach volley tournament which ends Sept. 15.

Gorayeb said neutralizing the PNP attack was actually key.

“Our blocking worked wonders and we stopped their two best scorers,” said Gorayeb, referring to San Beda’s Frances Xinia Molina and Janine Nicole Marciano, who scored only 13 and 10, respectively.