V-League Finals: Lady Suns rise, take Game 1 thriller over Net Spikers

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Valley had its hands full with Dindin Santiago in the fray for Smart.

But unfazed, the Lady Rising Suns weathered the storm en route to a pulsating 26-24, 25-11, 23-25, 11-25, 15-12 win over the Net Spikers in the Finals opener of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference Tuesday night before a packed crowd at the Arena in San Juan.

“I said in the third set that we could not relax,” said Cagayan coach Nestor Pamilar, whose team zoomed to a 2-0 set lead after overcoming an 18-22 deficit in the opening set.

Game 2 of their best-of-three championship series with Cagayan, which is on a 15-game winning run, is set on Sunday at the same venue.

Kannika Thipachot scored a game-high 25 points for Cagayan but it was Aiza Maizo who delivered the final blows to foil Smart’s fiery comeback.

Maizo only had 10 points but two of her markers came at the best time. With the Net Spikers threatening, Maizo denied Alyssa Valdez twice to seal the Lady Suns’ thrilling win.

“It’s a great advantage that we’ve been together a long time,” added Pamilar.

Thai import Kesinee Lithawat paced Smart with 20 points while Santiago added 12 in just her second game.