Powerhouse Army puts its unbeaten streak on the line today against defending champion Cagayan Valley in a crucial Shakey’s V-League Season II Open Conference match at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Sporting a 5-0 record, the Lady Troopers face their toughest test yet in the 4 p.m. duel with the Rising Suns, whose 16-game sweep on their way to the title last year is a feat that Army is determined to match.
PLDT Home Telpad tries to tighten its grip on the No. 2 spot against Air Force in the first game at 2 p.m.
The Turbo Boosters, who bounced back resoundingly at the expense of National U last Sunday, can actually gain a share of the lead with a victory over the Raiders and an Army loss to Cagayan.
The quarterfinal cast is almost complete with Ateneo (2-2) and National U (2-3) virtually in the next round with University of the Philippines the only team with a mathematical chance to force a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth if it sweeps its last two games and hope that Ateneo and NU drop their remaining games.
Focus will be on the Army-Cagayan duel with the Lady Troopers seeking to sustain their superb form after brushing aside their last five opponents in emphatic fashion.
Army actually defeated PLDT Home Telpad in straight-sets last July 17, underscoring its billing as a heavy tournament favorite.
But the Lady Rising Suns are also out to deny the Lady Troopers’ bid to duplicate their feat last season.
Few teams can match the depth and talent of Army in the league, but Cagayan has the manpower that could give the Lady Troopers problems.
Aiza Maizo, Janine Marciano, Rose Vargas, Wenneth Eulalio, Pau Soriano and Angeli Tabaquero form a solid core for coach Nes Pamilar’s Rising Suns, who are in solo third with a 3-1 record.
But the Lady Troopers will counter with Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga, who goes into the game well-rested after watching the last few sets of the win over Philippine National Police on the bench.