Army volleybelles clobber Navy

PHILIPPINE Army launched its back-to-back title drive in impressive fashion yesterday, whipping Philippine Navy in straight sets, 25-14, 25-14, 25-13, at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Open at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Although coach Rico de Guzman claimed Army had only two weeks of practice, the Lady Troopers came out in full control behind veterans Michelle Carolino and Rachel Ann Daquis.

Cagayan also cruised to a straight-set victory with Sandra delos Santos starring with 23 points in a 25-20, 25-12, 25-21 triumph over Far Eastern University in the second game.

Carolino unloaded 14 points, including eight kills and four service aces, while Daquis had 13 markers for the Lady Troopers.

“This is the first game where we all got together as a team,” De Guzman said in Filipino. “We’re happy with the win even if we only had two weeks of practice for the tournament.”

The Lady Troopers also had 15 service aces on top of 34 total attacks, 12 more than the Lady Sailors.

“[Carolino and Daquis] are our main guns,” said De Guzman. “We need them scoring high percentages on our attacks.”

Darkhorse squad Cagayan, reinforced by players from NCAA women’s volleyball champion Perpetual Help, also leaned on Thai imports Kunbang Pornpimol and Sutadta Chewulim, who tossed in 11 points each.

The debuting Rising Suns overwhelmed the Lady Tamaraws on attacks, 48-27, in the match that lasted just 73 minutes.