Rising Suns gear up for record sweep

MANILA, Philippines - No team has ever swept a Shakey’s V-League championship and the talent-laden Cagayan Province side is doing everything it could to make it happen in what could serve as a fitting ending to the league’s milestone 10th season.

“For me, talent is not enough to succeed. You’ve got to back it up with hard work, preparation and training,” said coach Nes Pamilar in Filipino moments after the Rising Suns edged the Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers, 26-24, 25-11, 23-25, 11-25, 15-12, in Game One of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference Finals at The Arena in San Juan City last Tuesday.

While Smart-Maynilad took a break in training to loosen up, Cagayan buckled down to work and continued to hone up for what could be a record feat in the country’s premier women’s volley league sponsored by Shakey’s.

“That’s why I don’t mind being like a broken record to my players telling them to work, prepare and train hard every time I get the chance,” said Pamilar.

The hard work paid off with the Rising Suns piling up 15 straight wins to move one win shy of completing a first-ever perfect campaign.

Game Two is set Sunday, also at The Arena, while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Oct. 27 either at the San Juan venue or at The MOA Arena in Pasay City.

It also helps that the Rising Suns have been together for over two years now while boasting of two of the most versatile and efficient Thai players in Kannika Thipachot and Phomia Soraya, the league’s leading scorer and setter, respectively.

“It’s always an advantage playing together for a long time now because of the good chemistry and familiarity with one another,” said Pamilar. “We’re also lucky to have two Thais who have complemented well with our local players.”

But Pamilar said the job is far from being finished.

“We know Smart will try to make some adjustments, they can’t be here in the finals if they’re not good. They’re a tough team, we just need to play tougher,” said Pamilar.           – Joey Villar