Army, Meralco post 3-set demolitions

Drawing solid games from almost everyone, defending champion Philippine Army made quick work of Fourbees-Perpetual Help, 25-10, 25-8, 25-11, Tuesday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Rachel Anne Daquis notched 16 points to backstop a relentless Army attack that finished off the Lady Altas in just only 54 minutes.

Earlier, Meralco snapped a long V-League winless run by overpowering Philippine Navy, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21.

The Power Spikers, who failed to win a match in eight games in the Reinforced Conference last year, showed their readiness to change their fortunes with a workmanlike display against a Navy team that beat Coast Guard last Sunday.

Cha Cruz scattered 15 points, while Maica Morada and Aby Maraño combined for 24 points for the Power Spikers who joined Army, Cagayan Valley and PLDT Home Ultera in the early lead.

The loss dropped Fourbees to last place with an 0-2 card, while Navy evened its record to 1-1.

Meralco coach Brian Esquibel got superb performances from his players who also played for different teams Monday night in the Philippine Superliga.

With Cruz finding her stride, the Power Spikers got on an early groove and never looked back against the Lady Sailors, who were led by Norie Diaz and Jolina Labiano with eight points each.

Precise with their attacks and showing superior court coverage, Meralco got the job done in an hour and 23 minutes.

The Lady Troopers, on the other hand, encountered token resistance from a young Fourbees team.

Veteran Tina Salak stamped her class with 21 excellent sets that helped the Lady Sailors collect 47 points off attacks.

Honey Tubino wound up with nine points while Dindin Santiago-Manabat tallied eight for Army, which had nine players scoring at least three points.

Spikers’ Turf winners

Meanwhile, PLDT Home Ultera and Philippine Army barged into the win column by downing separate rivals in Spikers’ Turf action earlier.

PLDT whipped Fourbees Cavite Patriots, 25-19, 25-17, 25-10, while Army, led by John Ian Depamaylo and Patrick Roxas, turned back Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-16, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19.

With the victories, PLDT and Army joined Cagayan Valley in the early lead after the Rising Suns stunned Champion Infinity in five sets last Sunday.

Depamaylo finished with 14 points while Roxas added 12 hits for the Troopers, who face Champion on Sunday.

PLDT leaned on John Paul Torres and Kheeno Franco who combined for 25 points in the 61-minute match.