Lady Troopers nail No. 2 semifinal slot

JOVELYN Gonzaga showed she’s back in fine form as Philippine Army sealed the No. 2 spot with a straight-set romp over Cagayan Valley, 25-16, 25-21, 25-22, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Gonzaga, the former MVP who missed several games due to an ankle injury, drilled a game-high 18 points built on 13 spikes, three blocks and two aces to help the Lady Troopers wrap up their elimination run with a convincing win.

The Lady Troopers will march into the semifinals with a 6-1 record behind unbeaten leader PLDT (7-0), while the Rising Suns wound up third with a 5-2 card.

Meralco bolstered its own semifinal drive with a rout of Fourbees-Perpetual, 25-11, 25-12, 25-14, in the other match.

Maica Morada tossed in 17 points as the Power Spikers improved to 3-3 to inch closer to the fourth-running Navy (3-4).

The Power Spikers will complete the Final Four cast if they win over Coast Guard on the last day of eliminations tomorrow.

In the Spikers’ Turf Season 1 Open Conference, PLDT Home Ultera outlasted Air Force, 25-23, 25-27, 25-19, 32-30, to secure at least a semifinal playoff.

Jayson Ramos unloaded 15 markers, while Mark Alfafara and James Peca-A had 14 points each to lead six PLDT players in double figures.

PLDT climbed to solo second at 4-2 behind Cagayan Valley, the solo leader toting a 6-1 slate.

Although the Airmen fell into a share of fifth place with idle Cignal at 3-3, they still have at shot at forging a semifinal playoff with a victory over also-ran Fourbees-Cavite tomorrow.