Soltones delivers as High Flyers force Game 3

MANILA, Philippines — Grethcel Soltones’ endgame brilliance as it stopped BanKo-Perlas, 28-26, 25-16, 25-27, 25-27, 15-12, to force a sudden death for the other finals berth in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Soltones fired three of the High Flyers’ last four points, including the game-clinching kill that helped PayMaya avenge its 19-25, 28-26, 23-25, 23-25 setback to the No. 3 Spikers in the opener of their best-of-three semifinal series last Sunday.

They dispute the coveted slot at 3:45 p.m. tomorrow at the same venue.

“I told the locals to do their job and not just rely on the imports because the imports are also playing tentatively,” said PayMaya coach Roger Gorayeb, whose wards actually blew a two-set lead but regrouped in the decider to snare the victory and keep their title hopes alive in the season-opening conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Soltones finished with 22 points next to topscoring American Tess Rountree’s 34 and also had 29 excellent receptions and 15 digs for an all-around game.

Michele Gumabao and Thai Kuttika Kaewpin took over in the fourth set as No. 1 Creamline waylaid defending champion and fourth-ranked Pocari Sweat-Air Force, 25-16, 26-24, 22-25, 25-17, later in the day to likewise force a sudden death in their side of the semis duel.

Gumabao helped the Cool Smashers stay ahead early in the fourth then Kaewpin powered the team in their breakaway run, 17-10, as Creamline recovered from its 25-23, 25-12, 25-23 loss in the opener of their best-of-three series last Sunday.

Game Three is set at 1:45 p.m.

“It was shown in today’s game that everyone really wanted this win. We want this win to go to do-or-die game on Friday,” said Valdez.

Gumabao topscored with 18 points built on 14 hits, two blocks and two aces, Kaewpin smashed 14 and Laura Schaudt came through with 10 as the trio made up for their struggle in the series opener.

Valdez, the lone Cool Smasher in double figures the last time out, drew the needed help and scored 15.