V-League: Smart-Maynilad leans on Alyssa Valdez to finalize semis entry with win over Meralco

The Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers drew 17 points from Alyssa Valdez to put away the Meralco Power Spikers, 25-20 23-25 23-25 25-12 15-12, Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, in the last quarterfinals match of the Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference.

The win gave Smart-Maynilad a 6-4 card, putting them in third place, where they drew second-seeded Philippine Army (7-3) in the semifinals, which begin Tuesday, October 8. Meralco on the other hand wound up on the outside looking in, getting booted because of their 2-8 record.

The other semifinals match-up is number one Cagayan Valley (10-0) against fourth-ranked Air Force (5-5). Both series are best-of-three affairs.

In this match, Valdez powered her side through with 17 markers, 15 off spikes. Lithawat Kesinee added 15 points off the bench, Wanida Kotruang chimed in with 12, while another reserve player, Gretchel Soltones, contributed 11.

Coco Wang matched Valdez's effort with 17 points, but her supporting cast could not equal the effort of the other team. Team captain Maureen Ouano provided 11 points, while Steph Mercado managed 10. Fille Cainglet tallied nine.

Meralco lost despite a 39-30 difference in points off opponents' errors. Smart-Maynilad made up for that with a 50-37 difference in excellent digs, and a 42-33 mark in excellent sets. - AMD, GMA News