Thais give Cagayan win in VL title series opener

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m. – FEU vs RTU (m)

4 p.m. – PLDT vs Meralco (w)

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Valley drew strength from Thai imports Hyapha Amporn and Patcharee Saengmuang as it eked out a shock 25-23, 20-25, 25-21, 25-18 victory over Army to move on the verge of clinching the women’s division title of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11-Third Conference at The Arena in San Juan last night.

The power-hitting tandem of Amporn and Sangmuang took turns in delivering the decisive blows and finished with a combined 31 hits including 29 on attacks as the Rising Suns seized a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three title duel.

Cagayan shoots for the clincher on Sunday.

A decider, if necessary, is on Nov. 16.

After splitting the first two sets, Amporn and Saengmuang went to work, unloading spikes after spikes that pierced through the Army defense.

The Lady Troopers, led by Dindin  Santiago’s 18, just had no answer to Amporn and Saengmuang.

Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar said the improvement was due to the attackers finally getting familiar with setter Shie Saet, who had an efficient 33 excellent sets out of 109 attempts.

“Saet and my spikers particularly my Thai players are now getting familiar with one another, that’s why we’re playing this well,” said Pamilar in Filipino.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, who was named MVP of the Conference, scattered 13 while Angeli Tabaquero chipped in nine as Cagayan booked its first win against Army, which had won its last six meetings with Cagayan including a sweep of last conference’s Reinforced Conference finals.

“It’s nice to finally get a win against a strong team like Army,” said Pamilar.

Rachel Ann Daquis saw action only in the first set and sat out the rest of the way due to high fever.

Meanwhile, Systema Tooth and Gum Care tightened its defense as it came back from two sets down to escape with a come-from-behind 21-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 16-14 victory yesterday to move one win away from becoming the first men’s champion of the league.

Patrick John Rojas and Angelo Espiritu led the Active Smashers with 15 hits apiece but it was the duo of Rocky Honrade and Chris Macasaet who fired up the defense by combining for a whopping nine blocks to go one up in their best-of-three championship series.

Game Two is on Sunday while a decider, if necessary, is on Nov. 16.

“The key was our blocking,” said Systema coach Arnoled Laniog in Filipino.

Down 13-14, Instituto’s Rennz Ordonez was assessed with net interference to allow Systema to tie before a Honrade block and an Espiritu service ace sealed the deal for the  latter, a team skippered by popular actor Richard Gomez.

It was Systema’s first win over Instituto after the latter swept the former in their two elimination round games.

Karl Ian dela Calzada led the attack with 20 hits including 18 on kills.