The PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters survived a second set setback from the University of the Lady Maroons and booked their second win, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17 in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Saturday afternoon.
The Ultra Fast Hitters relied on Gretchel Soltones and Janine Marciano in burying the Lady Maroons in the first set as the Diliman-based squad struggled to counter the Ultra Fast Hitters’ attacks and control their errors. But in the second set the Lady Maroons responded with rookies Isa Molde and Justine Dorog anchoring the Lady Maroons offense, creating a slim 16-14 lead heading into the second technical timeout. Kathy Bersola and Diana Carlos also provided timely attacks for the Lady Maroons to swipe their only set away.
PLDT responded to the the Lady Maroons’ uprising with Soltones, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Sue Roces leading the charge and burying University of the Philippines in a 16-10 hole. Despite their stellar floor defense and hustle, UP continually coughed up errors that allowed PLDT to cruise to a 2-1 sets lead.
The Ultra Fast Hitters continued to play solid volleyball coming in the fourth set with Soltones, Roces and Marciano overwhelming their Diliman counterparts with attacks and establishing a 16-8 advantage. PLDT’s constant offensive pressure subdued any UP attempt at a comeback.
‘’Masyadong heartbreaking ang talo last week, kaya dapat kalimutan na,’’ said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb as he reflected on their five-set loss to the Philippine Army Lady Troopers last weekend.
“Maganda ang nilaro ng UP noong second set dahil umatake na sila. Noong first set kasi puro drop lang sila ng bola kaya madaling pulitin,” Gorayeb told the media adressing why the Lady Maroons edged out the Ultra Fast Hitters in the second set.
Both Soltones and Marciano top-scored PLDT with 16 points each but the latter also had eight digs while Isa Molde led the Lady Maroons with 11 points to go with six digs while Diana Carlos chipped-in 10 markers. The Lady Maroons tallied 34 errors to PLDT’s 28 while also succumbing 48 PLDT attack points and only managing only 32 themselves.
PLDT (2-1) will next face the Philippine Navy Lady Sailors (2-1) on November 7 at 12:45 PM while the Lady Maroons(2-1) next assignment is against the KIA Forte(0-2) on November 8 at 3:00 PM in the same venue.
The scores:
PLDT (3)Â – Soltones 16, Marciano 16, Roces 9, De Leon 9, Devanadera 6, Pontillas 5, De Jesus 2, Ferrer 0, Soriano 0, Pantone (L)
UP (1)Â – Molde 11, Carlos 10, Bersola 9, Dorog 8, Tiamzon 3, Gannaban 2, Cailing 0, Lai 0, Ilustre (L), Gaiser (L)
