Ultra Fast Hitters subdue Sailors, reach V-L semis

Games today

12:45 p.m. – Army vs Coast Guard

3 p.m. – Kia Forte vs UP

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT Home Ultera bounced back from a listless second set with a dominant performance in the next two, completing a 25-20, 20-25, 25-13, 25-13 victory over Navy yesterday to tow unbeaten Army to the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Ultra Fast Hitters came out strong from a series of lapses that enabled the Lady Sailors to draw level after two sets, blasting kills from all angles while at times cashing in on their rivals’ token service reception to finish with 12 aces.

The win was PLDT’s third in four games as it secured a spot in the Final Four while dragging idle Army, unbeaten in three starts, into the semis of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Navy closed out its elims campaign with a 2-3 card and remained at fourth but the setback kept Coast Guard (1-3) and even KIA (0-3) in the hunt for the last semis seat in the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Meanwhile, Army guns for its fourth straight win as it battles Coast Guard at resumption today of the weekend volley festival where matches are aired live on GMA News TV Channel 11.

The Lady Troopers and the Lady Dolphins tangle in the 12:45 p.m. opener while the UP Lady Maroons seek to recover lost ground against the KIA Forte side in the 3 p.m. main game.

PLDT continued to play without injured ace spiker Alyssa Valdez but Aiza Pontillas and Janine Marciano more than made up for her absence by drilling in 15 hits apiece while Rysabelle Devandera and Gretchel Soltones added 13 and 10 markers, respectively, to underscore the team’s balanced offensive sock.

“We made some adjustments, especially in communication with regard to our plays,” said Pontillas, who spiked her solid game with eight digs.

Navy actually started out strong and took control at 8-5 only to yield the lead as PLDT stepped up its attack midway of the opening set, wresting control at 16-13 en route to the 22-minute romp.

But the Lady Sailors came out an organized lot in the second, cashing in on the Ultra Fast Hitters’ lapses behind Pau Soriano and Lilet Mabbayad to draw level.

But with Rubie de Leon dishing out another solid playmaking job, Pontillas, Marciano, Devanadera and Soltones imposed their will in the next two sets to finish off their rivals in 90 minutes.

Soriano wound up with 17 kills while Mabbayad rammed in nine attack points and had three blocks for a 12-hit output for the Lady Sailors.