Army repulses PLDT, tops Shakey’s first rd

ARMY reasserted its might to repulse PLDT Home Telpad, 29-31, 25-19, 25-16, 25-18, in women’s play of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Third Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena late Thursday.

Behind the stellar performances of Dindin Santiago and Jovelyn Gonzaga, the Lady Troopers stretched their win run to three for a sweep of the first-round eliminations.

Santiago fired 19 hits and had four blocks and Gonzaga, the reigning Open Conference MVP, came through with 17 points as the Lady Troopers recovered from a tough loss in the first set for the win.

Army will attempt to duplicate their conquest of Meralco when action in the season-ending conference, sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa, resumes tomorrow.

Carmina Aganon, another spike ace from National U, drove in 14 hits and Mary Jean Balse contributed 10 for the Lady Troopers.

The Turbo Boosters, leaning on the heady plays of former MVP Sue Roces and Maruja Banaticla, came out smoking but struggled in the face of Army’s superior attacking game.

Roces had 11 hits while Banaticla and Gretchel Soltones added seven each for PLDT, which dropped to 1-2.

Army coach Rico de Guzman played Rachel Ann Daquis and Nerissa Bautista in the first set but rested his top two spikers in the succeeding sets as Santiago and Gonzaga got the job done.

The Turbo Boosters swept Meralco last Oct. 9 but lost to Cagayan Valley in the next playdate, enabling the Rising Suns to seize solo second with a 2-1 card.