MANILA, Philippines -- PLDT Home Ultera went to Alyssa Valdez and its locals when their two American imports faltered and eked out a come-from-behind 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 29-27, 18-16 victory over Army Saturday to move a step closer to clinching the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference title at The Arena in San Juan City.
Valdez, playing her first game this conference, made an immediate impact and unleashed a match-best 25 hits including 22 on kills even though she played just four sets as the Ultrafast Hitters completed a dramatic comeback from two sets down and gaining a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three title duel.
"She's an integral part of this team and she showed it in this game," said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb referring to the power-hitting Valdez, the reigning Open and Collegiate Conferences MVP.
The Ultrafast Hitters, who also beat the Lady Troopers to snare the Open Conference title last May, go for the kill in Game Two on Dec. 6.
A decider, if necessary, is on Dec. 13.
Victoria Hurtt and Sareea Freeman, former US NCAA Division I standouts, were held to just a combined 13 points after they were benched the final two sets.
It didn't matter as Valdez took charge.
Gretchel Soltones, the NCAA MVP, scattered 12, the bulk of which came late in the fourth when PLDT clawed its way back and in the fifth when it repeatedly weathered an Army storm.
Former league MVP Aiza Pontillas chipped in 11.
Coming into the game for the first time in the second set, Valdez was a litte rusty as Army took the set to gain an early two-set advantage.
The Lady Troopers remained sharp in the third set but Valdez willed the Ultrafast Hitters back with a barrage of power kills that fended off the Lady Troopers' bid of finishing the former off.
And then Gorayeb made the gamble of going all-Filipino with the troika of Valdez, Soltones and Pontillas doing most of the damage.
"Obviously, we're having a hard time adjusting to the imports and vice versa," said Gorayeb, who is eyeing to become the first ever coach in the league to win a Grand Slam. "Good thing the locals stepped up."
The win by PLDT also dealt Army its first setback of the conference while avenging the former's 23-25, 25-23, 11-25, 25-19, 13-15 defeat to the latter in the elimination round on Oct. 25.