Army, Cagayan open Shakey’s V-L title duel

Games today

2 p.m. – PLDT vs Air Force (for third)

Awarding Ceremonies

4 p.m. – Army vs Cagayan Valley

MANILA, Philippines - Powerhouse Army is hungry for title but a fired-up Cagayan Valley side is itching to do a repeat, ensuring a dogfight right in the opener of their best-of-three series for the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference crown at The Arena in San Juan today.

Odds are just about even between the league’s most fancied teams although the Lady Troopers appear to have the edge in manpower – what with a star-studded roster that includes four former MVPs, an ace setter and a slew of talented backups.

But the Rising Suns also boast of a crack lineup bannered by the core of the team that posted a record 16-game sweep of last year’s championship while transforming former Adamson star Shiela Pineda from an open spiker to a libero.

Game One is set at 4 p.m. after PLDT Home Telpad and Air Force dispute third place in a separate best-of-three at 2 p.m. The awards rites honoring the conference’s outstanding players will be held after the PLDT-Air Force duel.

The opener will be shown on a delayed basis tomorrow over GMA News TV Channel but Game Two on Sunday will be aired live. The sudden death, if necessary, will be played on Sept. 7 and will also be shown live, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Both teams made it to the finals by sweeping their respective Final Four rivals but while Army, which ruled the inaugural Open Conference in Season 8 in 2011, played consistently from the elims to the semis, Cagayan sputtered in the quarters, dropping its first four matches and finding itself on the brink of elimination.

But the Rising Suns recalled their fierce form, winning their last quarters game against the Air Force Spikers via sweep to clinch the No. 3 spot in the Final Four and avoid going through a playoff for the last semis berth against Ateneo.

“We’re doing good in our last few games,” said Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar after completing their sweep of the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters in the semis.

But against the Lady Troopers, the Rising Suns need to play their utmost best with Pamilar pinning his hopes on Aiza Maizo, Janine Marciano, Pau Soriano, Rosemarie Vargas, Wenneth Eulalio, Gyzele Sy, Joy Benito, Relea Saet and Pineda.

Skipper Angeli Tabaquero, hero of their record title conquest of the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s, must also step up following a series of sub-par performances in the conference backed by Mikasa and Accel.

With Rachel Ann Daquis back in her top form and the troika of Jovelyn Gonzaga, MJ Balse and Nerissa Bautista dishing out superb games, Army coach Rico de Guzman is assured of a four-player combo ready to ram in the kills from all sides with veteran playmaker Tina Salak having a number of options to set up a quick play or a smash.

“It’s been a long time since we last won, so we really want this title,” said de Guzman, who will also lean on Genie Sabas and Joanne Bunag along with libero Christine Agno, Patricia Torres and Sarah Gonzales.