Valdez, Fast Hitters shoot for V-L crown

MANILA, Philippines - Alyssa Valdez is expected to see longer action as the PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters set out to finish off the Army Lady Troopers in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference finals today at The Arena in San Juan City.

“She’s very eager to play after missing so many games. She’s doing it for the fans,” said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb of Valdez, who didn’t see action from the elims to the semis to honor a previous commitment with Ateneo in the UAAP beach volley.

She sustained a minor back problem during the course of her beach volley campaign, forcing her to take more rest to heal the injury. She was actually not scheduled to play in Game One of the title series but came into the match all geared up, leaving Gorayeb with no recourse but to field her in from the second set on.

The two-time UAAP MVP fired 22 kills and finished with a 25-hit game to power the Ultra Fast Hitters to a dramatic come-from-behind 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 29-27, 18-16 victory last week, putting Home Ultera to the threshold of another championship after ruling the Open Conference.

But the Lady Troopers are raring to atone for their Game One meltdown with coach Kungfu Reyes expecting an explosive collective performance from his star-studded crew led by former MVP Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, MJ Balse-Pabayo, Nerissa Bautista, Joanne Bunag, Honey Royse Tubino and ace setter Tina Salak.

“Breaks of the game,” said Reyes, referring to their first and only setback in the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

“We had so many chances but we just couldn’t cash in on our opportunities,” he added.

Game time is at 3 p.m. following the 12:45 p.m. clash between UP and Navy with the Lady Maroons also eyeing for a sweep after scoring an 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-10 victory in Game One. Both matches will be shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11 and via streaming on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Gretchel Soltones, the reigning NCAA MVP, also made a good account of herself in the title series’ opener win, coming off the bench to fire 12 points, the bulk of which she delivered in the last two sets that helped the Ultra Fast Hitters weather the Lady Troopers’ spirited fightback.