V-League: Valdez-Kesinee combo too much for Army as Smart takes game one of semis

Alyssa Valdez and Lithawat Kesinee both scored at least 20 points to power the third-seeded Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers past second-ranked Army, 28-26 25-17 19-25 29-27, in the semifinals of the Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Kesinee scored 23, while Valdez notched 20, with the former scoring 19 off spikes and three of blocks, with Valdez adding three via blocks and five service aces.

Wanida Kotruang was a powerful third option for Smart, chiming in with 16 points, 13 from spikes in addition to two service aces.

Army drew 15-point outings from Mary Jean Balse and Jovelyn Gonzaga, plus 12 from Rachel Daquis, but they still came up painfully short. The Rico De Guzman-coached squad also had a 29-18 advantage in points off opponents' errors, but it just fell shy of making up the difference between the two teams. - AMD, GMA News