Preview: Perfect Cagayan battles winless FEU

MANILA, Philippines — Will the slide finally end for Far Eastern University?

Still in search for its elusive first win, the Lady Tamaraws battle league-leading Cagayan Valley in the curtain-raiser of the 10^th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference on Friday, September 6 at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

The Lady Rising Suns are enjoying a hot start, currently sitting atop the standings with a 4-0 record, but head coach Nes Pamilar still wants more effort from his team.

“Maganda ginagalaw namin kaya lahat dapat mag-contribute,” said Pamilar. “Sinasabi ko sa kanila na wag aasa sa dalawang guest players namin.”

Cagayan closed out a 26-24, 25-22, 25-14 victory over Meralco in their last outing as prolific Thai reinforcement Kannika Thipachot pumped in 24 points while Angeli Tabaquero had 14 for the Lady Rising Suns’ winning cause.

On the other hand, FEU is aching to barge into the win column.

The Morayta-based spikers absorbed a 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 beating from Philippine Air Force the last time around.

Incoming sophomore Rem Palma and Toni Basas paced the Lady Tamaraws with 11 points each but it was not enough to lift FEU to its first win in the tournament.

Smart hopes to rebound from loss

In the nightcap, Smart-Maynilad tries to atone from its first loss conference when they take on Philippine Air Force.

READ: V-League: Cagayan stains Smart’s record

The Net Spikers are fresh from a 25-23, 26-24, 25-20 setback at the hands of the Lady Rising Suns, with only Maru Banaticla scoring in double-digits with 15 points.

Meanwhile, the Airwomen broke into the win column after it bludgeoned FEU, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 in their last assignment.

“Yung first two games namin ay iba e,” said Air Force head coach Clarence Esteban. “Malakas talaga agad kalaban namin.”

Air Force drew 12 points from former UST standout Judy Caballejo while veteran Joy Cases added 10.– Rappler.com