Cagayan, Smart seek Shakey’s V-L title clash

Top seed Cagayan Province and Smart brace for tough outings today as they gun for a sweep of their respective rivals from the Armed Forces in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Victories by the Rising Suns and the Net Spikers in Game 2 will forge a championship duel between the two  favorites, who notched four-set wins in their openers last Tuesday.

The Rising Suns are actually seeking a 14th straight victory in the tournament at 4 p.m.  against Air Force.

The Net Spikers, who entered the semifinals as the No. 3 seed, hope to complete their reversal of 2011 champion Army in the first game at 2 p.m.

But the Army Women have a proud and experienced group of players bannering their campaign with former national team stars Michelle Carolino, Mary Jean Balse and Nerissa Bautista ready to pull out all the stops to extend the series.

Game 1 could have easily gone to Army, which lost the first and fourth sets by the narrowest of margins.  Cedelf P. Tupas