PLDT Home routs UP to enter finals

MANILA, Philippines -- PLDT Home Ultera routed a hapless University of the Philippines, 25-11, 25-17, 25-17, despite resting its American imports Sunday to advance to the finals of the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Aiza Pontillas led all hitters with 13 hits including 12 on kills while team captain Suzanne Roces chipped in 11 as the Ultrafast Hitters claimed the first seat in the best-of-three championship round where they play the winner of the Army-Navy duel starting on Saturday.

PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb intentionally sat out Victoria Hurtt and Serea Freeman, both former US NCAA Division I standouts, for them to see how the locals play.

The high-leaping and power-hitting duo of Hurtt and Freeman combined for 36 hits in a 25-12, 250-12, 23-25, 25-21 victory over KIA Forte in the finals day of the elimination round more than a week ago but were obviously out of sorts due to lack of cohesiveness.

"I let them (Hurtt and Freeman) sit out this game because I want them to see and adjust to how the local plays and not the other way around," said Gorayeb, whose charges also beat UP, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, on Oct. 31.

"Besides, it will be overkill if I let the two play," he added.

After getting the day off, Gorayeb said he will unleash Hurtt and Freeman in the finals.
"They will play in the finals," he said.

Alyssa Valdez also didn't suit up in this game even though he was present in the venue to cheer for PLDT.

There's a chance the reigning Collegiate and Open Conference MVP would see action in the championship series.

"She's in the line up. In fact, she already has a uniform even before the conference started," said Gorayeb of Valdez.

PLDT will be gunning for its second title of the year after it topped the Open Conference by beating Army in a gripping three-game finale last May.

For Gorayeb, he will be eyeing to become the league's first coach to ever win a Grand Slam after he steered PLDT and the National University Lady Bulldogs to the Open and Collegiate Conference crowns.
"I'm not thinking of it that much, just want to coach this team to another championship," he said.