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MANILA, Philippines-With a future that seemed to look bleak, the Cagayan Rising Suns rallied back to go above the PLDT Turbo Boosters in four sets, 25-11, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20, at the Arena in San JuanThursday evening to claim a 1-0 series in the best-of-three semifinals of the Shakey’s V-League.
Rising Sun Janine Marciano capped their burning fourth set run with a quick kill through the defense of the Turbo Boosters, after her team got blocked out by six points to start the deciding frame.
Cagayan head coach Ernesto Pamilar said all their hard work in the eliminations have been rewarded with their stint in the semis.
“I think all that hard work that we put through in the eliminations has paid off,” Pamilar said. “We are here in the semifinals, and this is our chance.”
Pamilar’s team was down 2-8 to start the fourth set but went on an orbital tour with a 10-2 burst to claim the lead, 13-11.
Marciano’s spike highlighted the run with a spike that sent Turbo Boosters setter Rubie de Leon running to the canvas.
With a few minor scares to their lead, the Rising Suns held on to their cushion with Rosemarie Vargas hitting on back-ti-back opportunities to put Cagayan 22-16.
Pamilar said that it was due time that his team shouldered the load that attacker Aiza Maizo carried throughout the tournament.
“Rose (Vargas), everyone was terrific today, we should also take care of Aiza (Maizo) who has carried us for almost every match,” Pamilar said.
Vargas and Marciano had the pulled the scoring load with 18 and 16 points respectively, while Maizo and Paulina Soriano combined for 23.
PLDT captain Sue Rocess notched 14 points for the Turbo Boosters with Carmina Aganon and Royce Estampa adding 13 and 12.