Power Smashers rip Dolphins in V-L opener

MANILA, Philippines - Laoag leaned on its new pair of power-hitting acquisitions Jorelle Singh and Gerthcel Soltones as it rolled past Philippine Coast Guard, 25-8, 25-15, 25-16, yesterday in the opener of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Singh, a member of the National U team that topped last month’s Collegiate Conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s, exploded with a match-best 17 hits, including 13 attack points, while Soltones, formerly of BaliPure, pumped 13 points, all off spikes to lead the way for the Power Smashers.

University of Santo Tomas, also fielding in an all-Filipino crew led by EJ Laure, battled back from four points down in the fourth set and completed a 25-15, 20 25, 25-13, 25 21 victory to join Team Laoag in the early Group B lead later in the night.

Singh and Soltones, this year’s Open Conference MVP who also plays for San Sebastian in the NCAA where she is the reigning back-to-back MVP, proved virtually unstoppable, making Laoag an early contender even without a reinforcement.

“We’re happy to have them on the team and they made us look good with their strong effort,” said Laoag coach Nes Pamilar, referring to their prized recruits.

With the duo on the firing end, the Power Smashers ripped Coast Guard’s net defense and scored 39 attack points while holding their rivals to just 13 kills. They also pounced on the Dolphins’ poor reception and came away with 11 aces.

“I’m happy to win my first game with Laoag and I hope we can keep it up,” said Soltones, the MVP in this year’s Open Conference of the league where it all started and backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

Joyce Sta. Rita, Soltones’ teammate at San Sebastian, and Arellano U standout Jovielyn Prado, chipped in seven hits apiece for Laoag.

Skipper Hazel Mea had six points while Lalyn Garcia, Sam Dawson, Mae Cecilio and Grenlen Malapit combined for just 11 hits for Coast Guard.

Air Force, parading yet another powerful hitter in Mark Alfafara, overpowered 100 PLUS, 25-11, 25-16, 25-23, in the lone match kicking off the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference.