Shakey’s V-League Open kicks off with three-game bill

Cagayan Valley and PLDT Home Ultera try to live up to their tag as favorites when they clash with separate rivals in the Shakey’s V League Season 12 Open Conference starting Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Led by former University of Santo Tomas star Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, the Lady Rising Suns get going against Fourbees in the 12:45 p.m. match kicking off a heavy three-game bill that will be aired live on GMA News TV.

PLDT, spearheaded by two time UAAP Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez, takes on unheralded Baguio at 4:45 p.m. Coast Guard makes its debut against Navy in the second game at 2:45 p.m.

The spotlight will be on Valdez, who led the Ateneo Lady Eagles to a second straight UAAP title via a 16-game sweep. While Valdez is the focal point of the attack, PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb actually has plenty of options with the likes of Gretchel Soltones, Jaja Santiago and Suzanne Roces also part of the rotation.

Baguio hopes to come out strong in its debut with a squad led by skipper Cindy Benitez.

The Lady Rising Suns have an experienced roster that also includes Angeli Tabaquero, Janine Maricano and Pau Soriano.

The organizing Sports Vision has tweaked its annual calendar and held the Open ahead of the regular First Conference featuring top collegiate teams to give way to the Asian Under-23 women’s championship the country is hosting this May and the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June.

Completing the eight-team cast in the league are defending champion Philippine Army and Meralco.

Matches will be shown on GMA News TV Channel 11 from Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. while Sundays games are aired live at 12:45 p.m., according to the organizing Sports Vision.