Army stays unbeaten, outlasts Cagayan Valley in thriller

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Army survived Cagayan Valley's power-hitting Thai imports as it eked out a thrilling 25-22, 26-24, 26-28, 23-25, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 Third Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Wednesday night.

Dindin Santiago pounded her way to a team-high 20 hits, including 16 on kills while Nene Bautista scattered 18 herself, including the match-clinching point when she beat Cagayan's Analyn Joy Benito in a joust.

Carmina Aganon, a former National University standout like Santiago, also shone with 16 hits while the versatile Tina Salak had 13.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, the Finals MVP of this season's second conference, contributed 12 hits she highlighted with a booming kill that shattered a 13-all deadlock before Bautista did her wonders up front with that clincher.

The Lady Troopers thus clinched their fifth straight win, one win shy of sweeping the double-round elimination of this Shakey's Pizza-bankrolled tournament.

Army coach Rico de Guzman said the key was their blocking.

"We came here prepared because we knew we can't beat them (Cagayan) without our blocking," said de Guzman.

Thais Amporn Hyapha and Patcharee Saengmuang took turns as the two unleashed 22 hits apiece, most of which came in the third and fourth sets when the Rising Suns fought off several matchpoints to force a decider.

Army though found their way to slow down the crisp-spiking duo of Hyapha and Saengmuang before Gonzaga and Bautista delivered the decisive blows.

Cagayan fell to its second straight five-set heartbreaker to Army after dropping their first round duel, 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 21-25, 13-15, on Oct. 7 and into a two-way tie with PLDT at No. 2 with 2-2 (win-loss) records each.

De Guzman said he also used this game to scout how well Hyapha and Saenmuang, who didn't play in their first game due to lack of FIVB permit, will do after declaring it will still be the Rising Suns that they are going to meet in the best-of-three finals starting on Nov. 2.

"I think Cagayan is the team that we will face in the finals so we used the opportunity to see them play," said de Guzman.