GAME DEC. 14 (Ynares Sports Arena)
4 p.m.—TMS-Army vs Cignal HD
(Finals)
TMS-PHILIPPINE Army easily bundled out its semifinal opponent even as Cignal HD pulled off a shocker in the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Volleyball Grand Prix yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.
The Lady Troopers made quick work of Cagayan Valley, zooming to a 21-10 lead right in the first set before wrapping up the match in just 66 minutes, 25-15, 25-20, 25-17.
Cignal, though, completed a huge upset in its own semifinal duel as the HD Spikers pinned a first loss on PLDT-MyDSL in a grueling five-setter, 17-25, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 16-14, to clinch the last title berth.
Chinese import Li Zhanzhan erupted for 27 points to power the HD Spikers past the Speed Boosters, the top seeds who swept the elimination round and earned an outright Final Four berth.
The winner-take-all finale is set at 4 p.m. next Saturday also at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City with the Lady Troopers going for back-to-back titles and the HD Spikers vying to bring down another heavyweight.
An Abby Praca block after a Lou Ann Latigay error sealed the win for the HD Spikers, who rose from a 5-8 deficit in the deciding set.
Xie Li chipped in 15 markers as the HD Spikers also overcame the big games of PLDT stars Savannah Noyes (26 points) and Suzanne Roces (20 points).
Thai import Luangtonglang Wanitchaya tossed in 13 points to lead the Lady Troopers, but the locals also came through with Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga firing 11 markers each.
“It turned out easy for us because of our good reception and defense,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman.
Cagayan’s Thai reinforcement Wanida Kotruang, who played limited minutes in the quarterfinals due to a sore right knee, still looked far from her ideal form as she wound up with her lowest production this season at 10 points.
De Guzman also commended the Lady Troopers’ setter Tina Salak, who had 28 excellent sets.
“Cagayan has stronger spikers, but our advantage was our setter,” said De Guzman.