Smart trips Meralco, stays unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines - Smart wore down a Coco Wang-reinforced Meralco in an extended fourth set duel, fighting back from a set down and hacking out a 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 27-25, victory to remain unbeaten in three games in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Sue Roces and Gretchel Soltones fired 17 hits apiece while Maruja Banaticla added 14 points as the troika combined in the fourth frame for the Net Spikers, who spoiled the debut of Wang, a 6-3 Chinese guest player who came away with an 18-hit effort for the Power Spikers.

The Net Spikers, who swept their first two games in straight sets, struggled against the Power Spikers, barely winning their battle up front, 56-51, and off the serve, 6-5, with the latter posting 10 blocks as against the former’s measly two.

April Jose overshadowed Smart’s vaunted setter Rubie de Leon, putting up 41 excellent sets as against her rival’s 37 with the Power Spikers finishing with 49.

Meralco dropped to 1-1.

Earlier, Philippine Army overcame a second set struggle and leaned on its net defense to trounce Air Force, 25-13, 25-22, 25-18, and serve notice of its bid in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Jovelyn Gonzaga took charge in the second frame when the Army Women, who strolled to a trouble-free first set, blew an early lead and trailed at 17-19, winning eight of the last 11 points to go 2-0.

Air Force kept it close at 10-all in the third set but Army went on attack mode again while keeping its net defense holding to complete the sweep in 71 minutes.

Outhit by the Air Women, 35-37, the Army Women leaned on their net defense to neutralize their rivals, coming through with 11 blocks, including six from Gonzaga, who also provided hustle plays to cap her superb all-around game.