TOP SEED Cagayan Province tries to sustain its unbeaten run against No. 4 Air Force even as Smart-Maynilad and Army clash in a series that is too close to call in the Final Four of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
With a couple of four-set wins in the elimination round and quarterfinals over the Air Women, the Rising Suns set out as the heavy favorite to notch their 13th straight win in Game 1 of their best-of-three series at 3 p.m.
The Smart-Army duel starting at 5 p.m. is expected to be tight with the two teams splitting their two matches via five-setters.
“We beat them in the quarterfinals but that’s not a guarantee we could beat them again since the semifinals is a different thing,” said Smart-Maynilad mentor Roger Gorayeb. “Anything can happen.”
The Net Spikers are a different group from the elimination-round crew with Gorayeb having the luxury of an 11-player rotation, after the inclusion of Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez and Thais Lithawat Kesinee and Wanida Kotruang in the lineup.
Charo Soriano, Gretchel Soltones, Sue Roces, Maru Banaticla, Mica Guliman, libero Melissa Gohing and two of the country’s top setters in Rubie de Leon and Jem Ferrer are also out to power the Net Spikers’ bid, while Gorayeb hopes to finally field Dindin Santiago in the tournament.
Built around star players MJ Balse, Nene Bautista, Rachel Anne Daquis, Joanne Bunag, Michelle and Marietta Carolino and Iloilo ace Jovelyn Gonzaga, the Army Women are seeking a repeat of their title romp in 2011.
Cagayan goes into the game buoyed by a five-set triumph over Army last Sunday and coach Nes Pamilar said the win augurs well in their preparation for the tough grind ahead.
“It’s nice to get into the semifinals with a winning feeling, especially coming off a sweep,” said Pamilar after the win over Army.