Games today
2 p.m. – Army vs Air Force
4 p.m. – Smart vs Meralco
Standings W L
Smart 2 0
Cagayan 1 0
Meralco 1 0
Air Force 0 1
PNP 0 2
FEU 0 2
Army x x
Navy x x
MANILA, Philippines - Smart tests Meralco’s mettle as it shoots for a third straight win even as powerhouse Army debuts against Air Force in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.
The Smart belles disposed of the Far Eastern U Lady Tams and Philippine National Police side in straight-set fashions and will be hard-pressed to do the same against the Power Spikers, who rallied from a set down to repulse the Lady Patrolers in five in last Sunday’s opener.
Despite their big start in the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s, coach Roger Gorayeb believes they have a work cut out for them as they face the Power Spikers in the 4 p.m. main game.
Meralco coach Oliver Almadro leaned on his veterans to defuse PNP with Maica Morada, Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, Ivy Remulla and Stephanie Mercado and former Ateneo star Fille Cainglet combining to rally the Power Spikers to victory.
They will be up against an eight-player Smart crew headed by Sue Roces, Maru Banaticla, Gretchel Soltones, Charo Soriano, Melissa Gohing, Nica Guliman and ace setters Jem Ferrer and Rubie de Leon.
Focus will also be on Army, which finally parades its star-studded roster that includes Rachel Anne Daquis, Nene Bautista, MJ Balse and sisters Michelle and Marietta Carolino with support from Jacqueline Alarca, Ma. Theresa Iratay, Dahlia Cruz, Cristina Salak and Joanne Bunag.
The Air Women dropped a four-setter to the Cagayan Rising Suns last Friday but are expected to bounce back strong behind Judy Ann Caballejo, Maika Ortiz, Iari Yongco, Jennifer Manzano, Liza De Ramos and veteran campaigner Joy Cases.