PLDT Home trounces UP sans Alyssa Valdez

MANILA, Philippines -- PLDT Home Ultera relied on the power-spiking pair of Gretchel Soltones and Janine Maricano as it trounced University of the Philippines, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, Saturday to get back on track in the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Soltones and Marciano, former rivals in the NCAA with the former playing for San Sebastian and the latter with San Beda, each unloaded 16 hits apiece including a combined 24 kills to help the Lady Ultrafast Spikers to jump into a three-way logjam at second spot with the Lady Maroons and Navy Lady Sailors on identical 2-1 (win-loss) slates.

It also soothed the impact of PLDT's stinging 23-25, 25-23, 11-25, 25-19, 13-15 defeat to Army last week that catapulted the latter to the top with a pristine 2-0 mark.

"We just minimized the errors and received well especially in the final two sets," said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb, who is seeking a rare grand slam after he steered PLDT to the Open Conference title and National U to the Collegiate Conference championship.

And PLDT did it in the absence of Season 12-Open Conference and Collegiate Conference MVP Alyssa Valdez, who was out due to an injured back.

"We're still not sure when she is returning but we hope it will be soon," said Gorayeb referring to Valdez.

Maria Lina Isabel Molde and Diana Mae Carlos fuelled UP's fightback by firing 11 and 10, respectively.

But the Lady Maroons didn't have enough firepower to keep up with Soltones and Marcinao up front.

UP, mentored by Jerry Yee, fell to its first defeat against two triumphs and out of the share of the lead.