Smart holds off Army in Shakey’s V-League

MANILA, Philippines — Smart-Maynilad solidified its hold of the third spot after pinning a second loss on the Philippine Army, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13, Friday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.

The prolific scoring duo of Lithawat Kesinee and Alyssa Valdez tandemed for 43 points for the Net Spikers, who raised their record to 7-4.

It puts Smart-Maynilad a full game ahead of Philippine Air Force (6-5) heading into its penultimate game of the quarterfinals set on Sunday.

While the Air Women held on to the second spot with a 9-2 card, they missed a chance to forge a tie at first place with Cagayan.

Army’s Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga had 19 markers apiece, Mary Jean Balse and Joanne Bunag had 11 each but in a losing cause.