JOVELYN Gonzaga (left) and Michelle Carolino try to keep the ball in play for Army. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Philippine Army used a sizzling start to hack out a 25-4, 25-12, 33-31 win over Philippine Coast Guard Sunday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Troopers held the Lady Dolphins to just four points in the opening set and pressed the attack in the next frame with Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo, Michelle Carolino, Honey Royse Tubino and Jovelyn Gonzaga taking turns with crisp smashes at the net.
But just when everybody thought Coast Guard was about to give up, the Lady Dolphins engaged the Lady Troopers in a long third-set battle that tested Army’s ability to handle pressure.
Starring Rossan Fajardo, Mary Rosale and Samantha Dawson, the Lady Dolphins nearly extended the match to a fourth set before back-to-back hits by Tubino and Palma’s service ace clinched a fourth straight win in as many matches for the Lady Troopers.
“We refused to give up. Again, it was teamwork that saved the day for us,” said Sarah Jane Gonzales, who had a career-high 37 sets.
Only PLDT Home Ultera has managed to steal a set away from the Lady Troopers.
Already assured of the top spot in the semifinals, the Lady Troopers go for a sweep against UP next week.
The Lady Dolphins bowed out of semifinal contention with a 1-4 win-loss record.
Their four-point output in the first set was the lowest by any team in the league.
Carmina Aganon delivered 13 attacks and had two blocks in leading Kia to a breakthrough 25-22, 19-25, 25-15, 25-19 win over UP in the other game.
It was Kia Forte’s first victory after four games while the Lady Maroons dropped their second straight match.
In the Spikers’ Turf, Mark Alfafara dished out 20 attacks and had five blocks as PLDT repulsed erstwhile unbeaten Air Force, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-14, to advance to the semifinals.