Cagayan grounds Air Force

MANILA, Philippines—It looks like their wings weren’t built to withstand the sun.

Holding back their pesky competitors, the Cagayan Rising Suns shone brightly against the Philippine Air Force Air Women 3-0, 25-13, 25-22, 25-20, at the San Juan Arena Thursday afternoon.

Cagayan took the third spot away from Air Force and finished with a 3-1 card while the Air Women dropped to fourth with a 3-2 slate.

Wenneth Eulalio saved the match for the Rising Suns blocking Rhea Dimaculangan’s tap to end the third set.

Rising Suns head coach Ernesto Pamilar said his team was “pretty prepared” for the match.

“Our preparations were good, and it led to our fluid game,” Pamilar said. “We concentrated on our defense which led to opportunities.”

Rosemarie Vargas put Cagayan on top 23-19 with a clean spike off the Air Force block in the closing moments of the third.

Air Woman Jennifer Manzano countered back with a straight kill putting the boards at 23-20.

Eulalio then had back-to-back plays to seal the match.

Cagayan went without star attacker Angeli Tabaquero who, as Palimar said, was suffering knee pains.

“She was suffering knee pains before the game, and we let the younger players shine for the moment,” Palimar said.

Paulina Soriano, Aiza Maizo, and Vargas combined for 36 points to lead Cagayan.