Cagayan outclasses Philippine Army for 2nd V-League title

MANILA, Philippines—The Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns shook off the memory of a dismal performance in last conference’s finals as they turned back fierce rivals Philippine Army Lady Troopers in the third conference of Shakey’s V-League Season 11, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 20-25, 15-9, at the San Juan Arena on Sunday.

Season Most Valuable Player Aiza Maizo played to her billing as she led all scorers with 25 points on 20 attacks, four blocks, and one service ace to cop the Finals MVP Award. This is the second time in the tournament that Maizo swept the MVP awards.

The Lady Troopers led early in the final set behind the deadly spikes of Rachel Ann Daquis, but Maizo and Lady Rising Suns Thai imports Patcharee Saengmuang and Amporn Hyapha took over. Saengmuang scored three straight points to give Cagayan a comfortable 12-6 lead. She then converted on an off-the-block hit, while Hyapha scored on a runner to give the Lady Rising Suns their second title in the tournament.

Hyapha finished with 21 markers, while Saengmuang added 19.

This is the second straight time the two teams met in the V-League Finals. The Lady Troopers served a beat down on the Lady Rising Suns in the Finals of the Open Conference this August, with the Philippine Army recording the biggest winning margin for a team in the championship.

Cagayan, however, was not to be denied this season.

Daquis paced the Lady Troopers with 18 points, while Jovelyn Gonzaga and guest player Din-din Santiago had 14 kills apiece.

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