THE LADY spikers of Smart made up for their lack in manpower with sheer talent as they nabbed their second win in a row with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-17 win over the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
With just eight players attending the game, Smart saw no problem with that as former MVP Sue Roces came up with another huge performance with 21 hits, including 15 attacks, five service aces and one block.
Cebuana Gretchel Soltones, the 17-year-old hitter out of San Sebastian and a former spiker from the vaunted Pajo National High School Vipers, also turned in a solid game of 13 hits she spiked with 11 kills, as the Smart side continued to live up to its pre-tournament hype as one of the teams to beat in the league.
Except for libero Melissa Gohing, all seven players fielded in by coach Roger Gorayeb scored with Mica Guliman and Charo Soriano adding eight and seven points, respectively. Maru Banaticla added four and setters Rubie de Leon and Jem Ferrer chipping two and one, respectively.
Former MVP Alyssa Valdez is actually in the Smart roster but the top Ateneo hitter will only suit up after completing her stint in the UAAP beach volley tournament which ends Sept. 15. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio