The Meralco Power Spikers proved to be too hot to handle as they coasted to a lopsided straight-sets win over Fourbees-Perpetual Lady Altas, 25-11, 25-12, and 25-14, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference, Sunday afternoon at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Power Spikers’ net defense and pesky attacks were on point right in the opening set, quickly thrashing the Lady Altas to post a wide 20-8 lead. Fourbees-Perpetual reached double figures in scoring, coming from a service error by Meralco setter Angelica Legacion, 23-10. However, Meralco denied the Lady Altas any opportunity to storm back and scored two more points off attacks by Legacion and Maica Morada, to grab the opening set in their favor, 25-11.
Total domination was displayed by Meralco in the following set. From a small two-point, 14-12 lead, the Power Spikers, behind the offense provided by Legacion, Morada, Aby Marano, and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, scored eleven straight points to snatch a 2-0 advantage, 25-12.
Meralco went on a tear in the third and final set, emulating what they did in the first set, leaving Fourbees-Perpetual in the dust, 20-8. The Lady Altas then retaliated to trim the deficit by nine, 20-11, after a service ace from Jana Sta. Maria. However, errors on their side proved costly, as Meralco never looked back and took the set, 25-14, to seal the deal.
Morada led all scorers with 17 points coming off 14 attacks. Jamel Suyat led the Lady Altas with 12 markers in a losing effort.
The victory booked Meralco a ticket to the semifinals, earning themselves the fourth place coming into the next round, a far cry from last season’s winless campaign.
Meralco Head Coach Brian Esquibel stated that the new players they have on the team are of big help for their run in the tourney. “Yung mga reinforcements sa team, ang laking tulong,” said Esquibel, as he singled out players like Cayetano and Cha Cruz that bring a lot to the table.
The scores:
Meralco (3) – Morada 17, Cruz 9, Marano 8, Legacion 7, Guevara 4, Mercado 3, Cayetano 3, Belleza 2, Tiu 1, Reyes (L)
Fourbees-Perpetual (0) – Suyat 12, Abcede 2, Medalla 2, Sta. Maria 1, Imbo 1, Cabriana 1, Diocareza 1, Versoza 1, Condada (L), Calleja (L)
