Eagles seek No. 2; Army, Navy make V-League debut

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo hopes to sustain the momentum of its big opening day victory in the Shakey’s V-League Season 8 Open Conference as it takes on Perpetual Help today even as Army and Navy make their debut at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Eagles, chasing a second straight championship after toppling the Adamson spikers in the first conference, held off the Maynilad tossers in three tough sets, pulling off a 25-23, 25-17, 25-22 victory in Sunday’s opener of the league’s inaugural Open tournament.

Alyssa Valdez fired away 20 hits, including 16 kills and three blocks, while Fille Cainglet added 14 kills and wound up with 15 points to help power the Loyola-based team past the fancied Maynilad squad.

The power-hitting Valdez and Cainglet are again expected to lead the Lady Eagles’ charge against the Altas in their 4 p.m. encounter and give the team a big headstart in the seven-team tournament featuring three regular member schools, three military teams and one commercial squad.

Perpetual will pin its hopes on guest player Giza Yumang, Arianne Argarin, April Sartin, Nheray dela Cruz, Sandra delos Santos, Kath Bulatao, Janice Abar and Royse Tubino.

San Sebastian College, winner in the 2008 second conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, likewise posted a straight-set win over Philippine Air Force, 25-15, 25-21, 25-22.

Focus will also be on the 2 p.m. match between Army and Navy, two teams backstopped by former MVPs of the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Mikasa, Accel and Maynilad Water.

Rachel Daquis and Maiah Manukay head the Army side that includes 2005 first conference MVP Michelle Carolino and sister Mayeth, Dahlia Cruz and MJ Balse, the first MVP winner in 2004.

Navy, on the other hand, will be led by former two-time MVP Suzanne Roces and Nene Bautista, the top player in 2008 first conference, along with Micmic Laborte, Janet Serafica, Joan Carpio and Daphne Mata making the “military” teams encounter a game to watch.

Games are aired on delayed basis on NBN-4 and on GMA-7‘s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV.