Shakey’s V-L: Smart battles Air Force

Cagayan seeks to extend its unbeaten start to five games today even as a formidable Smart squad returns to action following a 10-day layoff in the Shakey’s V League Season 10 Open Conference.

The Rising Suns, boasting an experienced squad reinforced by two quality Thai players, are fancied to prevail against a young and winless Far Eastern U squad in the 2 p.m. match at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Smart, toting a 3-1 record, hopes to get back on the winning track against Air Force in the 4 p.m. match.

The Net Spikers have not played since absorbing a 23-25, 24-26, 20-25 loss to the Rising Suns last Aug. 27.

Smart coach Roger Gorayeb hopes the break will have a positive effect on his squad which played its first four games of the tournament with a shorthanded roster.

A victory for Smart all but assures the Net Spikers a spot in the quarterfinal round, but they will be facing a resurgent Air Force team that dumped FEU in straight sets to break into the win column last week  after back-to-back losses.

Wendy Semana has done a terrific job orchestrating the Air Force attack, led by the trio of Judy Ann Caballejo, Joy Cases and Maika Ortiz

But Smart also has a formidable attacking force led by Suzanne Roces and the young Gretchel Soltones. Both  are out to bounce back from sub-par performances against the Rising Suns.

The duel with the Lady Tamaraws serves as a warmup for the Rising Suns as they brace for an explosive clash with fellow unbeaten squad Army on Sunday.

The Rising Suns are coming off a straight set triumph over the Meralco Power Spikers where Thai imports Pomia Soraya and Kannika Thipachot created most of the damage.