PLDT keeps clean Shakey’s slate

PLDT Home Ultera proved more than equal to the challenge in a nip-and-tuck fifth set to hack out a 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-11 victory over Meralco yesterday and stay unbeaten in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.

Ateneo standout Alyssa Valdez scattered 23 points, including 19 hits, while Jaja Santiago wound up with 14 to lift the Ultra Fast Spikers to their sixth straight victory.

Later, Cagayan Valley outlasted Philippine Navy, 25-18, 25-7, 22-25, 23-25, 15-9, for its fourth win in five games.

The Rising Suns struggled to put away the Lady Sailors and needed a strong finish from Aiza Maizo Pontillas and Marivic Meneses to avert a huge collapse.

Navy collected 12 points off aces, with Lilet Mabbayad accounting for five and Norie Diaz chipping in three. Cagayan  cruised in the first two sets, before Jolina Labiano sparked the Navy fightback that ultimately fell short.

Navy lost for the fourth time in six games.

The Power Spikers took their second loss in four games after giving PLDT all that it could handle with Aby Maraño and Stephanie Mercado taking turns in providing the firepower.

Meralco couldn’t cash in on a 2-1 lead after the third set, crumbling under pressure as Valdez and Santiago found their rhythm.

In Spikers’ Turf action, Cagayan Valley kept its pristine record with a 25-23, 18-25, 22-25, 31-29, 15-12 triumph over Cignal HD.

The Rising Suns rode the momentum of their magical escape in the fourth set to take the fight out of the HD Spikers in the fifth set.

Marck Espejo notched 29 points in another superb individual effort which he spiked with five blocks while Jan Paglinawan finished with 14 for Cagayan Valley which improved to 5-0.