Home Ultera, Army seek V-L title duel

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT Home Ultera and Army shoot for victories against their respective lesser-fancied rivals as they seek to arrange a highly anticipated showdown for the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference crown at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Lady Troopers swept the elimination round in five games while the Ultra Fast Hitters ended up second at 4-1, giving the two fancied teams the twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four of the season-ending conference sponsored by Shakey’s.

First to take a crack at the finals is Home Ultera, which faces University of the Philippines in the 12:45 p.m. opener, oozing with confidence following the acquisition of talented imports Victoria Hurtt and Serea Freeman.

The US NCAA Division I standouts made a pair of impressive debuts last week when Home Ultera downed Kia Forte in four to clinch the semis bonus in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

“I think we have the advantage against UP because we’re more experienced and we have two imports,” said Home Ultera coach Roger Gorayeb, also seeking to become the first coach in league history to sweep the three titles in one season.

Army, its star-studded crew bracing for a faceoff with the souped-up Home Ultera side, collides with Navy at 3 p.m.

Both matches will be shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Victories by Army and PLDT will pave the way for a title clash between the league’s strongest teams on Nov. 28 in a rematch of the Open Conference championship won by the Ultra Fast Hitters via a heart-stopping win in Game Three last May.

“We just want to stay aggressive and not end up being too confident,” said Army mentor Kungfu Reyes, who hasn’t lost in five games since taking over the chores from Rico de Guzman this conference.

Hurtt and Freeman combined for 36 points to power Home Ultera to a 25-12, 25-12, 23-25, 25-21 triumph over the Kia Forte in the final elims playdate.