PLDT rolls to 7th Shakey’s victory

ABY Maraño scores off Wenneth Eullalio of Cagayan Valley. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Ruthless even with its stars on the bench, PLDT Home Ultera demolished Perpetual Help-Fourbees with ease, 25-20, 25-17, 25-13, Tuesday to remain unbeaten  in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb had the satisfaction of resting his starters and still got the job done with Alyssa Valdez firing 13 hits and Jaja Santiago tallying 10 for their seventh straight victory.

“We want to give equal chance to all my players and I’m impressed with how my second group delivered,” said Gorayeb.

Laurence Ann Latigay, Gorayeb’s reliable spiker during his San Sebastian College coaching days several years back, added nine hits and two blocks for the Ultra Fast Lady Spikers.

“She’s getting her old form back. She will be crucial in our campaign,” said Gorayeb.

In the second game, former MVP Aiza Maizo-Pontillas shone as the Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns subdued the Meralco Lady Power Spikers, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21, to join PLDT Home Ultera in the semifinals.

A two-time league and Finals MVP, Pontillas had 14 hits built on 12 attacks for the Rising Suns, who notched their fifth win in six outings.

The Lady Power Spikers absorbed a third consecutive defeat after starting the conference with two victories.

Also providing quality minutes for PLDT were second-stringers Ma. Asuncion Mendiola, setter Jem Ferrer and Elaine Kasilag.

Jamela Suyat had 10 hits for the Lady Altas, who plummeted to their fourth setback in six games.

Valdez, the country’s flag-bearer in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games in June, will play in the Asian Under-23 Women’s Championship with Santiago on May 1 to 9 at  Philsports Arena.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley repulsed Estetico Manila, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23, in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1 Open Conference.

Peter Torres had 13 points highlighted by 11 spikes as the Rising Suns rolled to a sixth consecutive victory.

Army walloped Air Force, 25-22, 16-25, 25-14, 25-18, and climbed to a share of fourth spot with Cignal (3-3).

Greg Dolor had 15 hits while skipper John Ian Depamaylo and Benjaylo Labide added 14 each for the Troopers.

The Airmen, led by  the 18 hits of Jeffrey Malabanan, dropped into a tie for second place  at 3-2 along with  PLDT and Champion.