PLDT shoots for Shakey’s V-League crown vs Army Sunday
PLDT Home Ultera won’t be relying on just the intimidating length of its foreign spikers; the team will also unleash yet another favorite weapon when it shoots for the Shakey’s V-League crown against Philippine Army today at Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Ultra Fast Hitters activated two-time league MVP Alyssa Valdez from the injury roster for a come-from-behind victory against the Lady Troopers in their best-of-three championship series opener last week and Ateneo’s Queen Eagle is expected to shine anew again Sunday.
Valdez scored 25 hits, most of them in the last three sets of their 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 29-27, 18-16 reversal of the team the Ultra Fast Hitters failed to beat in the elimination round.
“After missing so many games, she’s very eager to play and do it for the fans,” said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb.
PLDT imports Sareea Freeman and Victoria Hurt could also spell the difference with their height and blocking prowess as Gorayeb expects these former US NCAA Division I standouts to blend well with the locals headed by Valdez, Gretchel Soltones and Aiza Pontillas.
But don’t count the Lady Troopers out. That Game 1 meltdown has only made them more determined to bounce back and unleash an explosive performance.
“We had so many chances, but we just couldn’t cash in on our opportunities,” said Army coach Kungfu Reyes.
The star-studded Army cast of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo, Nerissa Bautista, Michelle Carolino, Joanne Bunag, Honey Royse Tubino and setter Tina Salak won’t go down without a fight.
In the Spikers’ Turf finals, Air Force and Cignal gear up for a classic winner-take-all duel in Game 3 of their rivalry at 5 p.m. after the V-League clash between PDLT and Army at 3 p.m.
The HD Spikers forced a decider last week after tying the series with an emphatic 25-16, 25-17, 25-18 win over the Airmen.
University of the Philippines is also seeking to sweep its battle for third series with Navy in the V-League set at 12:45 p.m. The Maroons defeated Navy, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-10, in Game 1.
