TEAM Smart fought back from a set down twice to rally past Team Shakey’s, 18-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10, last night in the All Star Game highlighting the Shakey’s V-League All-Star Weekend powered by Smart at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Turning their game up a notch in the last two sets, the Smart spikers completed a stunning fightback in the showcase match that capped a memorable weekend for league supporters.
Former Adamson star Pau Soriano came through at match point to lift Smart to victory in close to two hours.
Smart also drew strong plays from Ateneo standout Alyssa Valdez, University of Santo Tomas’ Maru Banaticla, Ateneo’s Jem Ferrer and National U’s Dindin Santiago and Jen Reyes.
Ateneo’s Fille Cainglet and Charo Soriano, Army’s Lovelyn Gonzaga and San Sebastian’s Gretchel Soltones also saw action for Team Smart.
Shakey’s seized control after taking the third set with a flourish. But the squad powered by Army’s Mary Jean Balse and Rachel Anne Daquis, Tina Salak, former La Salle star Maureen Penetrante, Jheck Dionela and Michelle Carolino, couldn’t get the job done.
Ruby de Leon, Aiza Maizo, Suzanne Roces and Angeli Tabaquero also played for Team Shakey’s.
Television personalities Vonne Aquino and Bettina Carlos suited up for Smart while Lala Roque and LJ Reyes played for Shakey’s.
The All-Star Weekend, backed by Mikasa and Accel and organized by Sports Vision, served as a highlight of the league’s 10th anniversary.
Organizers also helped raise funds for victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”