Cagayan Province survives Meralco

CAGAYAN Province kept its unblemished record in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference last night—but not before surviving a gritty Meralco squad.

The Lady Rising Suns hacked out a pulsating 25-14, 16-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-13 victory over the Power Spikers to extend their unbeaten start to nine games at FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Aiza Maizo completed a stirring fightback from 0-5 down in a thrilling fifth set with a kill at match point after Meralco hitter Coco Wang committed a service error that shattered a 13-all deadlock.

Thai import Kannika Thipachot finished with a personal tournament-best 29 points, including two crucial hits in the fifth set that gave the Rising Suns a 13-12 advantage.

Earlier, Smart-Maynilad woke up from a lethargic first set to rally past Philippine National Police, 17-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 to keep its hopes of a Top 2 finish alive.

Ateneo standout Alyssa Valdez exploded for 27 points, while Kesinee Lithawat delivered 19 for the Net Spikers, who notched their sixth victories in nine matches.

The results proved to be a huge blow for both Meralco and PNP, which came into the game desperate to claim victories to enhance their Final Four bids.

The Power Spikers remained in fifth spot, after absorbing their sixth loss in nine games, while the Lady Patrollers stayed at the bottom with a 2-7 slate.

Janine Marciano and Patcharee Sangmuang wound up with 16 and 14 hits respectively for the Lady Patrollers, who need to sweep their remaining games and hope that Air Force does not go beyond five wins to stand a chance of at least a playoff for a Final Four spot.

The Lady Rising Suns fought back from a 3-7 deficit in the fifth set with Wenneth Eulalio and Thipachot proving equal to every Meralco attack. Phomia Soraya, who had 59 excellent sets, gave Eulalio a quick set to tie the game at 8-all, before Angeli Tabaquero and Thipachot drilled home kills to put the Lady Rising Suns ahead for good.

Coco Wang led the Power Spikers with 21 points.