MANILA, Philippines – Don't count Philippine Army out.
Army coach Kungfu Reyes vowed to bounce back strong after his team blew its chances of bringing down PLDT Home Ultera following a heartbreaking 25-16, 25-20, 24-26, 27-29, 18-16 loss in Game One of their Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference title showdown at The Arena in San Juan City last week.
Reyes said breaks of the game played a big part in their Game One defeat.
"Breaks of the game," said Reyes, who steered the Lady Troopers to an unbeaten six-win start before absorbing their first setback of the conference with that painful series opening defeat./
"We had so many chances but we just couldn't cash in on our opportunities," he added.
Despite playing without foreign imports, Army played more aggressive than PLDT and handily took the first two sets.
Whilte they slowed down Sareea Freeman and Victoria Hurtt to just a combined 13 hits, the Lady Troopers had no answer to Alyssa Valdez, who took over in the final three sets including the last two when PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb decided to sit down the two former US NCAA Division I standouts.
Valdez went on a juggernaut and unleashed 25 points including 22 on kills to help the Ultrafast Hitters complete a dramatic comeback.
"She was relentless. We have to find a way to slow her down," said Reyes of Valdez.
Another player Army should watch out for was Gretchel Soltones, the NCAA MVP who made some clutch hits in the final two sets to help Valdez carry the team to victory.