Army comes back to beat Smart, extends semis series in Shakey’s V-League

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Army was two points away from seeing its campaign end in the Shakey’s Season 10 Open Conference.

But the seasoned Army Women didn’t want to bow out just yet and used a spirited finish for a 25-21, 18-25, 12-25, 25-23, 15-10 win over Smart-Maynilad Friday at the Arena in San Juan to forge a game three in the semifinals.

Down 23-14 in the fourth against the Net Spikers who had the momentum after a dominant third set win, Army rattled Smart and summoned a stifling, unanswered run to tie the match, 2-2.

The third-seeded Smart, which won in game one was doomed by unforced errors in that fourth set stretch while Dahlia Cruz did the work for no. 2 Army.

With growing confidence, the Army Women sustained their strong start in the fifth set and established an 11-7 advantage.

Smart, raring to wrap the series up, tried to make things interesting as an attack by Lithawat Kesinee made it just a two point match, 9-11.

But reminded by head coach Rico De Guzman to “trust each other and play as a team” during the huddle, Army finished off Smart, 15-10.

Mary Jean Balse had 12 points for the Army women, Joanne Bunag had 10 points, Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga with nine markers apiece while Cruz added eight.

Game three is on Sunday at the same venue.

Alyssa Valdez finished with 20 points for the Net Spikers, Kesinee with 19 while Wanida Kotruang chipped in 17 markers in a losing cause.