Army, PLDT clash for lead in V League

Games today 12:45 p.m. – Army vs PLDT Home Ultera 2:45 p.m. – Baguio vs Meralco

Army and PLDT Home Ultera face off in what promises to be a slam-bang duel of title contenders with a share of the lead with idle Cagayan Valley at stake in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The keenly awaited match at 12:45 p.m. will be aired live over GMA News TV Channel 11, giving volley fans a big Sunday treat as the Shakey’s-sponsored league, where it all started, enters its second week of eliminations.

PLDT, playing without ace Alyssa Valdez, plastered newcomer Baguio, 25-10, 25-16, 25-21, in last week’s inaugurals of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera while Army kicked off its title-retention drive with a 25-8, 2510, 25-11 spanking of Fourbees-Perpetual last Thursday.

That makes their duel worth watching with the power-hitting Valdez expected to suit up and join former league MVP Suzanne Roces, Jaja Santiago, Laurence Ann Latigay and setter Rubie de Leon against the powerhouse cast of Army led by Rachel Ann Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mary Jean Balse, Nerissa Bautista, Tina Salak, Honey Royse Tubino and the crisphitting Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

With star-studded crews, the match is tipped to go down-the-wire with both coaches expected to spring a surprise or two in cashing in on match-ups both in offense with their ace hitters and in net and floor defense with their blockers and diggers.

Meralco, meanwhile, hopes to flaunt its power game against unfancied Baguio in the other game at 2:45 p.m. with the Power Spikers also seeking a view of the top after opening their campaign in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel with a 25-20, 25-21, 2521 victory over the Navy side last Thursday.

The Meralco-Baguio duel will be shown on Tuesday starting at 1 p.m. while the Cagayan-Baguio clash last Thursday will be aired on Monday, also at 1 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel 11, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

With a short single round elims format, each game is key for all teams with 2013 champion Cagayan Valley seizing the early lead with victories over Fourbees and Baguio.

The top four teams after the elims will advance to the semis, another single-round robin phase. The top two teams will then dispute the crown in a best-of-three series.