Meralco eyes No. 2 vs AFP in V-League

MANILA, Philippines - Dragged into a five-setter the first time out, Meralco tries to do it a little simpler as it goes for another win against Philippine Air Force even as four other teams debut in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Power Spikers fought back from a set down and turned back the Philippine National Police side, 25-17, 17-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9, in last Sunday’s opener to share the early lead with powerhouse Smart-Maynilad, which blew past Far Eastern U, 25-16, 25-5, 25-19, in the other contest.

Meanwhile, the Smart-FEU match will be aired on GMA News TV Channel 11 starting at 1 p.m. today, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Against Air Force, Meralco needs to toughen up, especially in net defense with the Air Women boasting of top hitters in former UST stalwarts Maika Ortiz and Judy Ann Caballejo, Joy Cases and Iari Yongco.

Meralco coach Oliver Almadro hopes to draw another solid game from his veteran crew, which stepped up to rally the Power Spikers past the Lady Patrolers, including former league and UAAP MVP Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, Ivy Remulla and Maica Morada.

The troika combined for 49 hits with Stephanie Mercado, daughter of former Asia’s sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado, dishing off a solid 12-kill game and former Ateneo star Fille Cainglet adding seven points to make it a five-pronged attack for Meralco in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Gametime is at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army parades an all-star lineup against FEU in the 2 p.m. match with odds heavily stacked on the Lady Troopers side headed by former MVPs and certified stars MJ Balse, Nene Bautista and Rachel Anne Daquis and the Carolino sisters – Michelle and Marietta.

Cagayan Province and Philippine Navy clash in the 4 p.m. duel of early title contenders with the former bannered by former MVPs Aiza Maizo and Sandra delos Santos, Angeli Tabaquero, Joy Benito, Wenneth Eulalio and Adamson mainstays Pau Soriano and Shiela Pineda.

The Lady Sailors, on the other hand, will be led by Michelle Laborte, Kite Rosale, Abigail Praca, Czarina Reyes, Janeth Serafica and Cecille Cruzada.

The Army-FEU game will be telecast Wednesday, the Cagayan-Navy duel will be shown on Thursday and the Meralco-Air Force faceoff will be aired Friday, all on GMA News TV Channel 11 at 1 p.m.