Suns sweep FEU belles, gain Shakey’s V-L q’finals

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Cagayan Province recovered in time to check an impending skid and complete another straight-set win – a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 victory over winless Far Eastern U in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Thai guest player Kannika and Thipachot and Angeli Tabaquero, two of the league’s top three scorers halfway through the eliminations, lived up to their billing as they combined for 24 hits to power the Rising Suns to fifth straight victory and firm up its hold of the top spot.

Although the Lady Tams kept the game close in the third, the Rising Suns simply stamped their class and power in the end to frustrate their winless rivals and complete the 67-minute win.

“We just tried to create as much attacking opportunities as we can because we know it will do us good,” said Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar in Pilipino. “But I must admit we played a little complacent in the third set but thankfully we recovered.”

The win formalized Cagayan’s stint in the six-team quarters and also primed up the squad for its much-awaited showdown with Army, the league’s only other unbeaten squad at 3-0, tomorrow in what many believe is a preview of the championship.

“We’re looking forward for that match,” said Pamilar.

Air Force, meanwhile, bolstered its quarterfinals bid as it held off an undermanned, skidding Smart-Maynilad side, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 in the other game.

The Air Women thus evened their card at 2-2 for solo fifth while dealing the Net Spikers their second straight setback after three straight wins.

Thipachot uncorked a 13-attack effort while Tabaquero, one of the league’s 10 most popular players the past 10 years, scored 10 kills as Cagayan out-spiked FEU, 40-28, and finished with six blocks and eight service aces, including five from ace setter Phomia Soraya.

Aiza Maizo, also named among the Top 10 in the first decade of the league sponsored by Shakey’s, tossed in 11 hits while Soraya added nine markers while delivering all but three of the team’s 31-set output.

FEU took its fourth straight loss, needing to sweep its last three games to stay in the hunt for at least salvage a playoff for the last quarters berth in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Mary Palma blasted nine hits while Marie Simborio and Marie Basas each scored seven points and Jerrili Malabanan and skipper Gyzelle Sy combined for nine markers for FEU, which came through with five blocks and four service aces.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan-FEU match will be shown on GMA News TV Channel 11 at 1 p.m. today while the Smart-Air Force clash, being played at presstime, will be aired on Monday, according to the organizing Sports Vision.