Boasting a lineup that includes some of the country’s best volleyball players, the PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters dismantled the Fourbees-Cavite Patriots in three sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-10 at the San Juan Arena.
Admittedly, figuring out the distribution of playing time for PLDT’s loaded lineup is going to be a problem worth having for the coaching staff. “Di na problema ‘yung talent, ‘yung gelling na lang talaga ng team,” said PLDT assistant coach Dong Dela Cruz. “My players know their roles kaya I don’t think it will be too much of a problem moving forward. We’ll practice more,” added head coach, Odjie Mamon.
The team features former UST Stars, John Paul Torres, Henry James Pecaña, Jayson Torres and Mark Alfafara, EARIST standout Kheeno Franco, Adamson Star Ron Jay Galang, and EAC top scorer Howard Mojica.
In this game, it was Franco and Torres’ turn to lift the team as they notched 12 and 13 points respectively. PLDT also cycled through its many options on the outside spiker position as Mojica and Galang played only one set apiece, while Alfafara only started on the third set and came off the bench in the other sets.
PLDT blitzed the undermanned Cavite squad right from the first point, building a 16-7 lead. Their offense stalled for a moment and let the Patriots get as close as two points, 21-19. PLDT inserted Mark Alfafara and Vince Mangulabnan from there who sparked a 4-0 run to close the set.
Cavite showed signs of life in the early stages of the second set after taking a 7-2 lead, but was quickly put back in a coma by PLDT. The Torres-Franco combination restarted the PLDT offense which went on a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead for good. Cavite seemed sapped of all energy up to the final set.
“The goal is to win a championship. siyempre may pressure talaga pag ganon pero kaya naman ng team,” remarked Coach Mamon.
PLDT will try to remain unbeaten as they face the Cignal HD Spikers on April 12, while Cavite will look to get its first win on April 9 against Cagayan.
The Scores:
PLDT (3) РFranco 13, Torres 12, Ramos 8, Alafafara 7, Peca̱a 6, Galang 5, Mojica 2, De Guzman 2, Casillan 1, Mangulabnan 1, Longavela (L)
Cavite (0) – Ytorzaita 10, David 7, Sioson 6, Coming 4, Ramos 4, Leang 1, Catipay 1, Barok (L), Kalingking (L)
