Cagayan tossers stay unscathed

JACQUELINE Alarca of Philippine Army goes for the kill off Fille Cainglet and Gretchen Ho of Petron. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

SHIELA Marie Pineda took care of the scoring load while Joy Cases provided the intangibles as Cagayan Valley slammed PLDT MyDSL, 25-16, 25-17, 27-29, 25-23, last night to stay unbeaten in the Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball at Filoil Flying V Arena.

The 22-year-old Pineda, who still has one more playing year with Adamson in the UAAP, collected 19 points—17 through stinging spikes—for the Lady Rising Suns, who notched their third straight win.

Pineda hammered smashes around collegiate teammates who all found themselves playing for the Speed Boosters.

“It worked both ways because they all knew my game, but I also know their game,” said 5-foot-7 Pineda, who stood out with her multicolored hair clips, braces and scoring smashes.

Pineda was referring to fellow Adamson players Angela Benting, Pau Soriano and Charmaine Moralde who form the core of PLDT which slumped to a 1-2 record.

In the second game, TMS-Philippine Army took full advantage of a depleted Petron side to secure an easy 25-18, 25-15, 25-19 win, its second in three games.

Power spikers Michelle Carolino and Joanne Bunag carried the day for the Lady Troopers who exploited the absence of key Blaze Spikers Rhea Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz, who came in late because of school commitments.

“I told them, ‘Let’s not take chances, they lack players,’” said Army coach Rico de Guzman.

Dimaculangan and Ortiz were sent in as substitutes in the third set, but by then the Lady Troopers were already in full throttle.
In the nightcap, PCSO Bingo Milyonaryo posted its first victory after beating Cignal, 16-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21.  Both teams now tote 1-2 slates.
Cases delivered nine points but it was her superb overall performance that shone as she successfully shifted from open spiker to utility, a position that required advanced skills and leadership.

Cagayan libero Angelique Dionela sparkled with 19 successful digs.