American imports power PLDT Home past Kia, clinch twice-to-beat bonus

MANILA, Philippines -- Americans Victoria Hurtt and Sareea Freemen were good as advertised as the two powered PLDT Home Ultera to a 25-12, 25-12, 23-25, 25-21 victory over KIA Forte  Saturday to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals of the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The power-spiking Hurtt and Freeman, who presided over the Ultrafast Lady Spikers' relentless attack by unloading 21 and 15 hits, respectively, including a combined 34 from spikes as they nailed a fourth win in five outings to finish as the No. 2 seed.

Army, unbeaten in four outings, will clinch the top seeding in the semis regardless of the result of its game against University of the Philippines being played at press time.

The Lady Troopers and the Ultrafast Lady Spikers will thus need just a win against either the Navy Lady Sailors or the Lady Maroons in the semis set on Sunday to advance to the best-of-three championship unfolding on Nov. 28.

An extra semis playdate, if necessary, is set on Wednesday.

The PLDT triumph also handed a semis berth to Navy and UP on a silver platter while eliminating KIA.

Hurtt, an outside spiker out of Iowa State, and Freeman, a 6-4 middle blocker from Florida State, went on attack mode early as they peppered the KIA Lady Spikers with crisp kill that the latter couldn't slow down.

"They've practiced with the team for only two days so we expect something more," said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb referring to the Hurtt-Freeman tandem.

After dominating the firts two sets, PLDT lost its poise in the third as it allowed KIA, which is mentored by Oliver Almandro, to snatch a set that kept it alive.

It turned out the last as Freeman and Hurtt took over from there as the Ultrafast Lady Spikers finished the KIA off.