Hot Rising Suns near Shakey’s V-L sweep

CAGAYAN Province moved within a win of an elimination round sweep as Philippine Air Force clinched the last semifinal berth in separate games in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Rising Suns disposed of a surprisingly tough Philippine National Police squad, 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, to streak to their 11th victory.

Aiza Maizo unloaded 24 points and Sandra delos Santos had four blocks in a 12-point outing to lift the Rising Suns past the cellar-dwelling PNP that surprisingly dragged the match to four tight sets.

In the second game, Air Force completed the Final Four cast after rallying from a set down to trip Meralco in a 19-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-22 decision.

Judy Ann Caballejo scattered 21 markers, including four aces, and Joy Cases also hit 17 points to power the Air Women to their sixth victory in 11 games.

The Rising Suns peppered PNP with attacks, 52-37, as Joy Benito and Shiela Pineda added a combined 18 hits.

Although unbeaten, the Rising Suns must still win their final elimination game versus Philippine Army on Sunday to secure the No. 1 spot.

The Army Women, running second at 9-1, still have a shot at the top seed if they sweep their last two matches.