PLDT to bank on Cebuana Soltones in bid to advance

CEBUANA volleyball star Gretchel Soltones will be at the forefront of PLDT Home Ultera’s attack once again as they push for a spot in the next round when they battle the Philippine Navy today in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

With Soltones and Janine Marciano clicking, the Lady Hitters picked up a 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons last week to tie their victims at second at 2-1.

The Lady Sailors, on the other hand, blasted the Kia Forte, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21, last Oct. 25 but fell to the league-leading unbeaten Army Lady Troopers, 14-25, 17-25, 14-25, last week to fall a 2-2 (win-loss) slate.

That makes their 12:45 p.m. encounter crucial with the winner closing in on one of the semis seats in the season-ending conference  of this league.

The loser will fall in a mad scramble with Coast Guard and Kia Forte for the fourth and last semis berth.

Meanwhile, star spiker Alyssa Valdez remains a doubtful starter after she sustained a back injury while playing in a beach volley tournament recently. But the Ultra Fast Hitters remain the favorite with Soltones, the NCAA MVP, and Marciano, along with Rubie de Leon, Sue Roces, Rysabelle Devanadera, Laurence Ann Latigay and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas tipped to lead the team anew against

Navy’s Pau Soriano, Lilet Mabbayad, May Madulid, Hezzymie Acuna and Therese Veronas.

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