A SHORTHANDED PLDT Home Ultera squad proved it had more than enough firepower to overwhelm newcomer Baguio, 25-10, 25-16, 25-21, last night at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Playing without Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez and Gretchel Soltones, the Ultra Fast Hitters turned to Suzanne Roces and Jaja Santiago in pulling off the lopsided victory.
Two-time champion Cagayan Valley also sent a strong statement with a 25-13, 25-12, 25-10 thumping of Fourbees-Perpetual Help while Philippine Navy prevailed over Philippine Coast Guard, 26-24, 25-14, 25-18, earlier.
Double victory
It was actually a double victory for Cagayan as its men’s team also prevailed in its opening assignment in the inaugural Spikers’ Turf match earlier in the morning over Champion Infinity, 23-25, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 16-14. Santiago, who finished with 11 hits, combined well with setter Rubie De Leon as she found gaps in Baguio’s porous floor defense in the game the Ultra Fast Hitters wrapped up in just under an hour.
Roces tallied a game-high 16 hits, using a variety of running and quick attacks to keep the Baguio defense guessing.
Teamwork
“Some of the players have played together in the past so the adjustment was easy,” said Ultra Fast Hitters assistant mentor Clint Malazo, who called the shots for the absent Roger Gorayeb.
Just like Gorayeb, Soltones is in Thailand for an international beach volleyball tournament, while Valdez excused herself from the match due to family commitments.
Lou Ann Latigay also stepped up for PLDT with 11 points and libero Denden Lazaro had nine digs in the second and third sets.
The Summer Spikers were badly outclassed in the first two sets before showing some fight in the third when PLDT slowed down with Malazo fielding some of his fringe players.
The Lady Rising Suns rolled to victory behind Janine Marciano and Angeli Tabaquero, who tossed in nine hits apiece. Wenneth Eulalio and Rosemarie Vargas added six points for the Lady Rising Suns.
“We prepared well against Fourbees and we have very experienced players,” said Cagayan Valley coach Nes Pamilar.
The Lady Sailors got their campaign off to an auspicious start with Hezzymie Acuña firing four service aces to finish with 12 hits.