Lady Maroons target solo lead vs Dolphins

TOP notch volley action resumes today as University of the Philippines takes a rare crack at the solo lead against Philippine Coast Guard in the Shakey’s VLeague Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Maroons drew strength and inspiration from the comebacking Katherine Bersola as they turned back the Navy Lady Sailors, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in the opener of the season-ending conference of the league where it started.

Bersola came back strong from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury last UAAP season, accounting for four of UP’s 13 blocks and finishing with eight hits to power the Dilimanbased squad past Navy last Oct. 10.

“She’s one of the pillars of this team and we will need her for this team to succeed,” said UP coach Jerry Yee of his prized ward.

Another win will give UP the early solo lead in the short tournament sponsored by Shakey’s ahead of tomorrow’s keenly awaited match between Army and PLDT Home Ultera.

The league, presented by PLDT Home Ultera, holds another weekend volley festival where matches are shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11 beginning at 12:45 p.m.

The Army-PLDT clash tomorrow will also be televised live at 3 p.m. after the 12:45 p.m. encounter between Kia Forte and Navy.

Maria Lina Isabel Molde led UP with 17 hits, including 14 attack points while Nicole Tiamzon and Marian Alisa Buitre added 14 and 10, respectively.

The Coast Guard Lady Dolphins, who dropped a three-setter to powerhouse PLDT Home Ultera, hope to keep the momentum of their 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Navy last Oct. 17 and stay in the semifinal race in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Meanwhile, PLDT will still be without reigning UAAP back-to-back MVP Alyssa Valdez when it faces Army tomorrow as the Ateneo ace needs two more weeks to heal an upper back pain incurred during her UAAP beach volley stint last weekend.