Preview: Cagayan guns for V-League elims sweep
MANILA, Philippines -- A sweep of the eliminations.
That is Cagayan Valley’s mission when the Lady Rising Suns battle the Philippine National Police in the first match of the 10th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference on Tuesday, September 10 at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
With majority of their players representing the country in the Asian Volleyball Championships in Thailand from September 13-21, Cagayan tries to give them a fitting sendoff with a sweep of the elimination round.
READ: PH spikers vow to go all out in Asian championships
Cagayan Valley is coming off a rousing 25-9, 25-16, 25-20 beating of Philippine Army in their last assignment to stay unbeaten in the standings with a 6-0 record.
READ: V-League: Cagayan Valley sweeps Army
But its perfect run so far doesn’t guarantee anything, according to Lady Rising Suns’ head coach Nes Pamilar, who is also at the helm of the Philippine national women’s volleyball team.
“Mahaba pa laban,” said Pamilar. “Wala pa masasabi na kahit ano.”
“Wednesday (September 11) alis namin at balik namin quarterfinals na,” he added.
On the other hand, the Lady Patrolers dropped a 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 decision to Philippine Army the last time around and is desperate for its first win and stay in the hunt for a berth in the quarters.
Meanwhile, Philippine Navy takes on skidding Smart-Maynilad in the nightcap.
The Lady Sailors are fresh from their first win in the tournament—a 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 thumping of Far Eastern University.
Veteran Mic-Mic Laborte led Navy’s assault with 12 points while Kit Rosale had 10.
READ: V-League: Navy keeps FEU winless
“May tatlo pa kaming games and hopefully makuha pa namin para ‘di kami malaglag at makapasok pa kami sa quarterfinals,” quipped Navy playing coach Zenaida Chavez.
After winning its first three matches, the Net Spikers’ have lost two in a row—the last one a 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 defeat at the hand of Philippine Air Force.
Ace setter Rubie De Leon Smart-Mayniald with 9 points while rising star Gretchel Soltones and Nica Guliman had 8 each for the Net Spikers.- Rappler.com
