Cagayan still team to beat in V-League

DESPITE being tired from traveling and playing games in their host province, the Cagayan Lady Rising Suns still looked solid in its first match in the Open Conference of the Shakey’s V-League last Thursday.

Using its veterans and a collection of new recruits, coach Nes Pamilar’s crew rolled over the PNP Lady Patrollers in three sets 25-15, 25-21 and 25-18. It may not have been its most stellar performance but the team clearly sent out a signal that they remain the squad to beat in the eight-team field.

Without dropping a game last year in 16 starts en route to the Open Conference crown, Cagayan definitely has the experience to survive any crisis or challenge in the league. Even now, without the support of two Thai imports, the team still looks formidable with Angie Tabaquero, Rosemarie Vargas, Aiza Maizo, Chie Saet and Wenneth Eulalio. New additions Sheila Pineda, Pau Soriano and Gyzelle Sy are not exactly neophytes and were stars for their school teams.

Pineda, a high leaper and prolific open spiker, surprised everyone last Thursday by playing libero for the Rising Suns. This is a compliment to her all-around skills, honed by both indoor and beach volleyball. As libero, you dart in to replace the middle hitter most of the time to give the back row a smaller but nimbler defender. Pineda should fit in nicely into this role as the team is already loaded with gunners and attackers.

The other formidable lineup in the league is PLDT Home Telpad coached by Roger Gorayeb. If they can get everyone on the court after contractual obligations to other tournaments, then PLDT looks like it could give Cagayan a scare for the title. Veterans Rubie De Leon, Sue Roces, Gretchel Soltones and Charo Soriano could go very far if and when Dindin Santiago, Aby Maraño and Carmina Aganon finally get clearance to play. The three have been lined up but did not see action in PLDT’s first win over University of the Philippines, also last Thursday.

Army will have to be given a chance also because of its veterans. Whenever a squad has the ageless Tina Salak, there is height, experience and versatility at the setter position. Salak has many weapons to choose from as well, like Mary Jean Balse, Rachel Ann Dacquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga. Dacquis and Gonzaga are fresh from playing as guests in Far Eastern University’s championship run in the first conference.

How well the school teams perform will depend on the focus they will bring to the current conference. Ateneo, UP and National University are in the tournament to sharpen their cohesiveness for the coming UAAP season. The games will definitely augment training sessions in preparation for the collegiate season. Ateneo and NU have already picked up victories while UP is still looking for its first win in three starts.

The UP Lady Maroons look like a tall and talented lot but lack the confidence and trust to make their teamwork click. Unforced errors have been the bane of coach Jerry Yee’s brigade but hopefully this can be corrected in its remaining four games. The opposition will be daunting but this is one of the main reasons teams join the 11-year old league: To gear up for the present and the future because you won’t get ready by simply training and playing against each other.