Tigresses, Power Smashers triumph in V-League opener

Team Laoag’s ace hitter Grethcel Soltones (5) challenges Coast Guard’s Alarnie Pesebre’s defense during their Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference encounter at the Philsports Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Laoag kicked off their respective campaigns with impressive victories Saturday night in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena.

The Tigresses, playing without spark plug Cherry Rondina, still had enough spunk to ground Philippine Air Force, 25-15, 20-25, 25-13, 25-21.

Earlier, Laoag drew fire from its newly acquired gunners to crush Coast Guard, 25-8, 25-15, 25-16.

Playing minus foreign reinforcements despite the import-laden tourney, the Power Smashers found no problem disposing of the Dolphins with heavy bombers Jorelle Singh and Gretchel Soltones in the fold.

Singh scattered 17 points, while Soltones added 13 for Laoag which was never threatened against the similarly import-less Coast Guard side.

Laoag coach Nes Pamillar said they had a problem acquiring imports because of playing document requirement.

“We are no longer getting one because it takes too long to get ITC (international transfer certificate),” said Pamilar, referring to the documents required from the respective volleyball federation of the imports as well as the FIVB.

“Before we had an experience when the imports were already here at the start of the tournament and only got to play in the semifinals,” said Pamilar.

Still, Pamilar said it’s not an automatic advantage if you have an import because “you still have to work on the chemistry.”

For the meantime, Singh and Soltones were enough to dismantle the Dolphins who never had a player scoring in double digits.

The Power Smashers totally controlled the game, having 46 excellent digs compared to 31 of the Dolphins. Chie Saet also ran the plays for Laoag with 14 of her team’s 25 excellent sets.

The Dolphins also suffered spotty reception, making only 14 excellent receives as against 23 by the Power Smashers.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force downed 100 Plus, 25-11, 25-16, 25-23, at the start of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Reinforced Conference.