Army nails 3rd Shakey’s V-League quarterfinal slot

MANILA—Army turned back Maynilad, 25-22, 25-15, 25-27, 25-15, Sunday to nail a quarterfinal slot in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Used sparingly in the first three games, Rachelle Anne Daquis came alive with 17 points as the Army volleybelles streaked to their fourth straight victory and joined San Sebastian and Navy in the next round.

Navy, working behind a formidable attacking game, notched its third win in four starts, following a 25-18, 25-15, 25-17 romp over Air Force in the first game.

The Navy tossers scored 39 attack points, underlining their offensive strength featuring former MVP awardees Suzanne Roces and Nerissa Bautista.

Bautista, who led Adamson to its first title three years ago, came through with five service aces and finished with 16 points, while Roces tallied 15 hits in the one-hour, 12-minute rout.

It was Navy’s third straight victory since dropping a four-setter to Army at the start of its campaign.

Army zoomed to a two-set lead relying on its solid attacking game and floor defense, before Maynilad, which battled back from two sets down to nip Perpetual Help in a thrilling five-setter last week, rallied to take the fourth.

Daquis and Joanne Bunag settled the issue early in the fourth frame as they joined forces in giving Army a 8-1 lead.

Daquis’ output included 11 kills, three blocks and three service points, while Bunag made 12 attacks and wound up with 13 points.

Marietta Carolino and Mary Jean Balse also combined for 26 hits.