Cagayan turns back Army

The Cagayan Valley Rising Suns simply made sure their record would stand for another year.

Ferocious on both ends of the floor, the Rising Suns turned back Army, 27-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, last night in the Shakey’s V-League Season 2 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Veterans Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Janine Marciano joined forces for 40 points as the Rising Suns foiled the Lady Troopers bid for a sweep—a feat achieved by Cagayan Valley on its way to the crown last year.

Pau Soriano and Rosemarie Vargas chipped in nine hits each as the Rising Suns fashioned out the win in an hour and 49 minutes. The match looked headed to a fifth set before Pontillas came up with the decisive hits in the fourth set, including the smash at matchpoint.

PLDT Home Telpad held off a hard-fighting Air Force squad, 25-15, 26-24, 25-22, earlier and moved into the top spot following the Army loss in the second game.

Drawing superb efforts from Gretchel Soltones and Lou Ann Latigay, the Turbo Boosters survived repeated fightbacks in the second and third sets to finish the elimination round with a 6-1 record.

Soltones came away with 18 kills for a 19-hit output while Latigay had 13 attacks. Former MVP Suzanne Roces delivered 15 hits, including two blocks, in the match that lasted one hour and 20 minutes.

PLDT Home is bound to become even more formidable as former National U star Dindin Santiago will reinforce the Turbo Boosters in the quarterfinals.

Air Force fell to 3-3 despite getting a combined 24 hits from Maika Ortiz and Joy Cases.

The Turbo Boosters also capitalized on their rivals’ poor reception, scoring seven service aces, including two each from Charo Soriano and setter Rubie de Leon, who also produced 25 excellent sets.

The Lady Troopers drew another strong effort from Rachel Anne Daquis with 20 points and Nene Bautista with 16. But they were left undone by Pontillas’ brilliance at crucial moments.