Cagayan, Systema draw Shakey’s V-League first blood

MANILA, Philippines — Relentless from the start, Cagayan Valley finally solved the riddle that is Philippine Army by hacking out a 25-23, 20-25, 25-21, 25-18 victory Sunday night to move on the brink of the women’s title in the Shakey’s V-League Third Conference.

The Lady Rising Suns leaned on solid games from Thai reinforcements Amporn Hyapha and Patcharee Saengmuang who helped keep the Lady Troopers at bay in the first and third sets, before conspiring in a strong finishing kick at a jampacked Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Cagayan, the second seed, was quick to pounce on an Army squad that was far from its best with setter Chi Saet also playing a key role with 33 excellent sets that helped the Thai duo get into an early rhythm.

Named Most Valuable Player before the game, Aiza Pontillas fired 13 points for the Lady Rising Suns, who got swept by the Lady Troopers in the Open Conference finals last August and also lost their two elimination-round games to Army in the tournament.

The Lady Rising Suns’ victory capped a day of surprises after Systema Tooth and Gum Care fought back from two sets down to stun Instituto Estetico Manila, 21-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 16-14, in Game 1 of the men’s finals.

Given up for dead after dropping the first two frames, the Active Smashers unleashed a balanced attack with Patrick Rojas and Angelo Espiritu delivering 15 points each and Rocky Honrade and Chris Macasaet firing 14 and 10 hits.

Both Cagayan and Systema can clinch the crown with victories in Game 2 this Sunday.

Honrade put the Active Smashers at match point with a block, before Espiritu drilled home his team’s seventh service ace to wrap up the win in two hours and 29 minutes.

Blocking proved crucial for the Active Smashers, who dominated with an 18-5 edge.

The Active Smashers, who bucked the absence of tournament best scorer Salvador Depante, also had a 7-0 edge in service aces.
Karl dela Calzada had 20 points, but league MVP Jeffrey Jimenez was held to nine hits as IEM took its first loss to Systema in the tournament.

Down 9-11 in the fifth set, the Active Smashers came back to life with Rojas and Espiritu joining forces to forge a 13-all tie.

The Lady Rising Suns also drew nine points from Angeli Tabaquero, who accounted for the team’s lone service ace.

Army got 18 hits from Dindin Santiago, while Michelle Carolino and Jovelyn Gonzaga combined for 22 points.

But Rachel Anne Daquis, the MVP in the Open Conference, finished with just four points—all in the first set.

The other individual awardees in women’s play were Gonzaga (best spiker), Meralco’s Abigail Marano (best blocker), Saet (best setter), PLDT’s Lizlee Pantone (best digger) and Cagayan Valley’s Shiela Pineda (best receiver).