V-League: Smart meets Cagayan in clash of titans

MANILA, Philippines — League-leading Smart-Maynilad hopes to keep its unbeaten record when it takes on fancied Cagayan Valley in the 10^th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference on Tuesday, August 27, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

“Basta ako ang strength ko ay mayroon akong dalawang magaling na setters (Rubie De Leon and Jem Ferrer), nandyan si Sue (Roces) and si Maru (Banaticla),” said Net Spikers’ head coach Roger Gorayeb, following his team’s 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 27-25 thumping of Meralco in their last outing.

In that match, Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez was in street clothes but did not play as sources say that she still have to finish her commitment for the Lady Eagles in the upcoming UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament before she gets the green light to suit up for Smart-Maynilad.

Also, First Conference MVP Dindin Santiago was in uniform for their match against the Power Spikers but team officials from National University, Santiago’s school, said they never authorized Santiago to play this conference and that prompted Gorayeb to bench the 6’2” spiker.

On the other hand, the Lady Rising Suns are coming off from a 25-22, 17-25, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Philippine Air Force in their opener.

Former UST star Angeli Tabaquero led the way for Cagayan Valley in their win as she wounded up with 21 points while Aiza Maizo and Kannika Thipachot added 20 and 13, respectively.

In the nightcap, a well-rested Far Eastern University battles Meralco, with the former trying to rebound from its first loss in the tournament while the latter seeking to bounce back from its previous defeat.

The Lady Tamaraws absorbed a 25-16, 25-5, 25-19 beating from Smart on opening day, with only Rem Palma scoring in double-digits with 13 points.

Meanwhile, the Power Spikers’ are fresh from a 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 27-25 setback against Smart.

“We still have to work on our teamwork kasi hindi nga nakukumpleto sa practice ang mga players ko,” quipped Meralco head coach Oliver Almadro. – Rappler.com