PLDT stops UP, bolsters V-L semis drive

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, yesterday 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, combined for 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 is she 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.

Coast Guard fought back from 1-2 set with a sweep of the last two, including the decider as it eked out a thrilling 12-25, 25-22, 14-25, 25-23, 17-15 victory over newcomer Kia Forte to snap out of a three-game skid.

The Lady Dolphins lost in all scoring skills, 49-59 (spikes), 2-6 (blocks) and 4-7 (serve) but leaned on their experience in the last two frames to pound out the two-hour, nine-minute win.

Coast Guard hardly moved up to fifth at 1-3 while the hard-luck Kia Forte side took their third straight defeat that further dampened their semis bid.