PLDT whipped Ateneo, 25-21, 25-13, 26-24, at The Arena in San Juan on Sunday to gain a share of the early lead in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 Open Conference.
Sue Roces scored 12 points as the Power Attackers scored their second win in as many games and joined Philippine Army at the top of the standings.
Crowd darling Alyssa Valdez scored two straight points as Ateneo moved to within one point, sending the fans into a frenzy as if it was championship point.
Angela Benting then committed a net error that tied it at 24-24.
But PLDT kept calm amid the noise generated by the largely pro-Ateneo crowd and Roces scored the final two points to seal the straight sets win.
"Salamat nanalo," said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb, who coached Ateneo in the UAAP for five years before returning to San Sebastian in the NCAA. "Mga player ko rin naman ang mga 'yan. Kung anong depensa nila, depensa ko rin."
Valdez finished with 18 points from 14 spikes, two blocks and two service aces for Ateneo, which now holds a 1-1 win-loss mark.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
