Super Liga: Cagayan stops slide, dominates PLDT for semis slot

Joy Cases (12) INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Valley snapped its two-game skid after a 27-25, 25-20, 25-15 romp of PLDT MyDSL to book the last semifinals seat in the 2013 Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball invitational Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Joy Cases tallied 18 points while Sandra delos Santos scored 17 for the Lady Rising Suns, who battles league-leading Philippine Army in a knockout semis duel set on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Malaking bagay yung nag-usap usap kami kahapon bago kami mag-practice at yung application ng practice namin. So yung two games na natalo kami nandun lahat yung practice namin pero wala sa focus yung players namin,” said Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar.

“Nung nakapagusap kami natutunan ulit nila maglaro as a team at hindi lang individually,” Pamilar added.

Cases and Delos Santos led the way to what was a total team effort by Cagayan, which seeks to repeat its opening day win over Army.

“Mas advantaged sila. Matagal nang buo yung team nila. Kailangan lang namin mag-double effort para talunin sila,” said Pamilar.

The Suns dominated the match after squeaking out a thrilling first set win. Cagayan led by as much as 23-11 before PLDT made a late but unthreatening run in the second set.

Former NCAA MVP Lou Ann Latigay paced the Speed Boosters with nine points.