Army nabs quarters spot, downs Meralco in V-League

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Army scored a quarterfinals ticket after stopping Meralco on its tracks, 25-21, 25-16, 25-18, Friday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at the Arena in San Juan.

Mary Jean Balse and Jovelyn Gonzaga combined for 29 points for the Lady Troopers, who rebounded from their first loss last week to Cagayan.

Veteran vollybelle Balse had three aces and five blocks apart from kills for Army, which enjoys the solo second place behind the Rising Suns (7-0) and ahead of Smart (4-2).

The Power Spikers, meanwhile, dropped their third assignment in the conference despite 11 markers from Maureen Ouano and reinforcement Coco Wang.