PLDT, Army forge title skirmish

GRETCHEL Soltones and Jaja Santiago fail to stop Meralco’s Maica Morada from piercing the PLDT defense in yesterday’s match at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

THE TWO squads that lorded it over all conference long will fittingly fight for the crown in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference.

Unbeaten PLDT Home Ultera and Philippine Army dispatched separate opponents in contrasting fashions to advance to the Finals Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Even with ace Alyssa Valdez sitting out a set, the Ultra Fast Hitters survived a thrilling five-setter versus Meralco, 22-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 18-16, to complete a 3-0 sweep of the Final Four and extend their perfect run to 10 games.

The Lady Troopers finished off Cagayan Valley in straight sets, 25-23, 26-24, 25-17, to clinch the last title berth with a 2-1 record on the final day of the single-round semifinals.

Valdez, still battling colds, sat out the first set but finished with another sterling 23-point performance to lead the Ultra Fast Hitters.

“We wanted her to rest,” PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb said of Valdez, the UAAP MVP who exploded for 35 points despite feeling sick just two days ago.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series between the Ultra Fast Hitters and the Lady Troopers—who also finished 1-2 in the eliminations—starts at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royse Tubino delivered for the Lady Troopers, who overcame the Lady Rising Suns’ late rallies in the first two frames before wrapping it up with an emphatic third set.

“We just focused on winning this one and not think about our missed chances in our last game,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman.

Gonzaga led the Lady Troopers with 16 points built on 10 kills and six of the team’s 10 blocks.

The Lady Troopers, who pulled away at 21-13 in the third set, also finished with a 48-25 advantage in attacks.

“We were more focused on how we received the ball,” said Tubino, whose match point capped a 14-point performance. “We came out more confident and more aggressive.”

The Ultra Fast Hitters overcame match point thrice before Jaja Santiago’s quick hit, sandwiched by Meralco’s two attacking errors, sealed the game.

Santiago finished with 19 points and Gretchel Soltones  had five blocks in a 12-point outing.