The PLDT Ultra Fast Hitters made short work of the Fourbees-Perpetual Lady Altas in straight sets, 25-20, 25-17, and 25-13, to score their seventh straight victory in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference, Tuesday, at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Altas were well poised in the early parts of the first set, scoring off service aces that helped them take the lead. Their stance, however, quickly faded as the Ultra Fast Hitters regained their bearings to slowly dominate the initial set. PLDT pulled away to close within set point, 24-19, after a Rysabelle Devanadera drop. Fourbees did not let PLDT end the set right away as Jamel Suyat scored off a hit to come with four points. The Lady Altas tried to close in, but PLDT’s Alyssa Valdez scored from a quick attack to win the first set in their favor, 25-20.
The Ultra Fast Hitters seemed rejuvenated coming off their first set win, streaking to a quick 8-2 lead over Fourbees-Perpetual. The Perps, noticing the huge deficit, came back and erased the lead, closing in within two, 9-7, after a quick drop from Wendy Abcede. However, PLDT rallied to a 9-2 run of their own to inch within seven points of winning another set, 18-9. The Lady Altas tried to set up their offense but service mishaps inadvertently gave up scores to the opposing side and helped PLDT pull away with a 25-17 second set win.
The third and final set started close, with Fourbees-Perpetual being able to send the set into an 8-all knot. They tried to capitalize from PLDT’s slow start, but PLDT’s offense were revitalized behind Valdez and Alyja Santiago that sent the Ultra fast Hitters ahead, 16-11. The Lady Altas were unable to return to their form they had from the start of the third set, as Ann Latigay joined in on Valdez and Santiago’s scoring spree to help PLDT cruise to nine more points and seal the deal, 25-13.
PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb downplayed his team’s win, saying that they still have to work harder if they want to go deep into the next phase of the tourney. “We’re happy, pero we still have to work hard para ma-achieve yung top two spots sa semis,” said Gorayeb.
Valdez had 11 successful spikes and two service aces to lead PLDT with 13 points. Santiago supplied 10, with eight coming from spikes. Fourbees-Perpetual, on the other hand, were led by Suyat with 10 points.
The Scores:
PLDT (3) – Valdez 13, Santiago 10, Latigay 9, Roces 5, Soltones 5, Devanadera 4, Mediola 4, Kasilag 2, De Leon 1, Ferrer 1, Pantone (L), Lazaro (L)
Fourbees (0) – Suyat 10, Medalla 7, Eniong 6, Diocareza 4, Imbo 3, Abcede 2, Cabriana 1, Condada (L), Calleja (L)
