THE PLDT Hime Ultera averted a catastrophic collapse after blowing three match points in the fifth set but recovered to come away with a 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 29-27, 18-16 victory over Army yesterday in Game 1 of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference Finals at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Ultra Fast Hitters slowed down a bit after grabbing a 14-11 lead in the fifth frame, committing a net violation and getting blocked twice while yielding two attack points with only a point to show off Honey Tubino’s service error that saw the Lady Troopers, who blew a 2-1 set lead and 21-16 cushion in the fourth, grab a 16-15 edge.
But the Ultra Fast Hitters proved steadier in a nerve-wracking finish, forcing a tie on an Army net violation and regaining the lead on the last of a slew of Sue Roces’ running attacks before clinching the thrilling two-hour, seven-minute victory on Army’s Joanne Bunag’s faulty hit that went wide.