Depleted Smart breezes past PNP in Shakey’s V-League

MANILA, Philippines - Smart continued to play well despite playing undermanned, overpowering the Philippine National Police, 25-14, 25-15, 25-17, to seize the solo lead in the  Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan Friday.

Grizzled veteran Sue Roces came through with a monster performance as she came through with 21 hits, 15 on kills, five on service winners and one off the block to hand the Smart belles their second straight win and the solo lead.

Gretchel Soltones, San Sebastian's sophomore spiker who is the youngest in the team at 17 years old, likewise made a good impression as she peppered the Lady PATROLers with 13 hits, including 11 off attacks.

It was another lopsided victory for the Roger Gorayeb-mentored squad after routing the hapless Far Eastern U Lady Tams, 25-16, 25-5, 25-19, in Sunday's opener.

And for the second straight game, Smart played with just eight players – Roces, Soltones, Rubie de Leon, Maruja Banaticla, Charo Sorinao, Melissa Gohing, Nica Guliman and Jem Ferrer.

They were supposed to be nine, but collegiate superstar Alyssa Valdez will only suit up only after completing her Ateneo stint in 76th UAAP beach volleyball tournament, which ends on Sept. 15.

"Bahala na si Batman (We leave it to Batman)," said Gorayeb.

Gorayeb credited their defense, particularly their blocking, and PNP's poor reception game as the keys to their victory.

"Our blocking worked wonders and we stopped their two best scorers," said Gorayeb referring to Frances Xinia Molina and Janine Nicole Marciano, who scored only 13 and 10, respectively, after coming through with 22 each in a heartbreaking 25-17, 17-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9 loss to Meralco Sunday.

"It also helped that they had a hard time receiving our serves," he added.

Although undermanned, Smart boasts of two of the best setters in the country today, de Leon and Ferrer, who alternated in orchestrating their team's offense with Roces and Soltones as beneficiary of their excellent efforts.

The Lady PATROLers fell to their second straight setback.