Reinforced Ultera still wary of Army

MANILA, Philippines - While admitting having two foreign imports is an edge, PLDT Home Ultera coach Roger Gorayeb insists it’s not a surefire formula for winning a championship.

“It’s an advantage (having imports) because it gives us more options on offense and defense,” said Gorayeb referring to former US NCAA Division standouts Victoria Hurtt and Sareea Freeman, tapped towards the end of the elims to boost the team’s title drive in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference.

“But I don’t think it makes us a sure thing for a championship because it could backfire since we haven’t really trained together that much,” he added.

In fact, Gorayeb rested his two reinforcements in Home Ultera’s emphatic 25-11, 25-17, 25-17 romp over University of the Philippines in their Final Four duel last Sunday.

“I want them to see and adjust to how the locals play and not the other way around,” said Gorayeb.

He is also wary of the powerhouse Army, which sank Navy, 25-16, 25-10, 25-22, in their own semis duel in the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

“Army is a very experienced team and they’ve been together for a long time now, which I think they will use against us,” said Gorayeb.

Truly, the Lady Troopers, runners-up here last year, are one solid unit that includes some of the country’s top players – Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, Honey Royse Tubino, Mary Remy Palma and ace setter Tina Salak.

But Home Ultera also boasts of a slew of local aces, headed by former MVP Aiza Pontillas and Janine Marciano, who joined the team only this conference from last year’s champion Cagayan Valley, along with top playmaker Rubie de Leon, Sue Roces, another former MVP, Rysabelle Devanadera, Laurence Ann Latigay and Gretchel Soltones.

The Ultra Fast Hitters also hope to finally show with Alyssa Valdez, who hasn’t played a single game this conference after powering the team to the Open Conference crown by beating these same Lady Troopers last May.

“We’re still hoping she plays in the finals,” said Gorayeb of the Ateneo prized spiker.