Valdez shines as PLDT draws first blood in Shakey’s V-League finals

MANILA, Philippines – The PLDT Home Ultera survived the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in a thrilling 5-set win, 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 29-27, 18-16, to take on the first game of the best-of-3 finals in the Shakeys V- League Reinforced Conference, Saturday, November 28, at The Arena in San Juan. 

Ateneo De Manila University standout Alyssa Valdez led the way for PLDT with 25 markers built off 22 kills, two aces, and a block. Gretchel Soltones and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas contributed 12 and 11 points apiece. 

The Lady Troopers, who swept the eliminations round, dominated the first two sets but the Ultra Fast Hitters managed to snatch the momentum courtesy of Valdez and Pontillas.   

“Malaking tulong talaga si Alyssa. Iba talaga ‘yung lebel ng laro ng batang ‘yan,” said PLDT Coach Roger Gorayeb.

(Alyssa is a really big help. The kind of game the kid provides is really different.) 

“Maswerte ako sa akin siya naglalaro,” he added. 

(I’m lucky she plays for me.) 

The offensive efforts of Soltones also saved the day for PLDT as she exploded majority of her attacks in the last two sets. 

An all-Pinoy strategy worked for PLDT in the deciding set. The gelling of the team is definitely something they have to work on says Gorayeb.

Meanwhile, recently named Conference MVP Jovelyn Gonzaga scored 19 points for the Army as Honey Royse Tubino and Aby Marano added 16 and 15 markers respectively.

Game two of V-league’s finals series will be on December 6 at the San Juan Arena. – Rappler.com