Turbo Boosters pace Shakey’s V-L

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT Home Telpad swooped down on Philippine National Police with its power game and spiked its domination with superb reception for a 25-13. 25-17, 25-19 victory and the solo lead in the Shakey’s V-League Season II Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The star-studded Turbo Boosters pooled 44 attacks, nearly doubling the 24-kill effort by the Lady Patrollers but it was the league’s newcomers’ solid reception that highlighted their 63-minute romp, keeping their rivals scoreless off the serve from 50 attempts.

The sweep was PLDT Home Telpad’s fourth straight after thumping UP, Ateneo and defending champion Cagayan Valley in smashing fashions with the victory priming up the Turbo Boosters for their keenly awaited clash with fellow unbeaten Army Troopers tomorrow.

“We just want to pile up wins to gain more confidence,” said PLDT Home Telpad coach Roger Gorayeb.

The Rising Suns moved to solo fourth as it hacked out three tough set wins over the hard-fighting National U Lady Bulldgos, 26-24, 25-23, 27-25, later in the day.

Janine Marciano fired 16 hits to virtually negate Jaja Santiago’s 17-point effort while Aiza Maizo and Wenneth Eulalio combined for 21 markers to neutralize Myla Pablo’s 16-point production as the Rising Suns proved steadier in all three sets to pull through.

But Cagayan, which posted a record 16-game sweep to bag the crown last year, produced 39 excellent sets, including 24 from Gyzelle Sy, while NU could only come up with 19, including 12 from Ivy Perez.

Meanwhile, the PLDT-PNP duel will be shown on GMA News TV Channel starting at 1 p.m. today with the Cagayan-National U showdown to be aired tomorrow, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Former MVP Suzanne Roces punched in 13 kills, Laurence Ann Latigay scored nine markers and Ryzabelle Devanadera came away with three blocks for an eight-hit effort, the same output put in by ace setter Rubie de Leon.

Frances Molina topscored for PNP with 12 hits while Jane Maderazo added eight markers but the rest was held to just eight points as the Lady Patrollers absorbed their fourth straight defeat to fall into a tie with the UP Lady Maroons.

With the win practically secured, Gorayeb kept key hitter Gretchel Soltones on the bench in the third frame with the San Sebastian mainstay finishing with seven markers while Charo Soriano also produced seven points for the Turbo Boosters.

Their mettle, however, will be put to severe test as they go up against the Season 8 champions tomorrow in what could a preview of the championship in the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

While holding PNP without a point off the serve, PLDT unloaded 10 of its own with Soriano firing away four aces and Roces adding two to underscore the team’s awesome form and firepower.