Cagayan hammers Army to win Friendship Games title

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Cagayan lived up to its billing as the home spikers whipped Philippine Army in straight sets, 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 in the 5th Gov. Alvaro Antonio Friendship Games finals Saturday, June 29 at the packed People’s Gymnasium here.

Aiza Maizo hammered in the winner after leading the fancied Cagayan squad into a sweep of the competition, including a 5-set win over equally-talented Tuguegarao in their other fixture in the 3-team round robin finals.

“Aiza Maizo stood out for the team, kahit late siya dumating at galing sa pahinga,” Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar told Rappler.

The star-studded Cagayan squad relied heavily on their Thai contingent as Patcharee Sangmuang and Anongporn led a vicious Cagayan frontline while the former University of Santo Tomas standout Maizo proved to be the steady force for them throughout the competition.

Unlike in their narrow win against the Tuguegarao-Ateneo side yesterday, Cagayan creamed the Lady Troopers easily as Ging Balse, Jacq Alarca, and the rest of the team appeared to have tired out from playing two games within a day.

Army bowed to the Jang Bualee-led Tuguegarao in 4 sets earlier today.

Aiming for a win in this game to avoid complications, Cagayan poured everything as they never really had trouble keeping Army at bay in the whole contest.

Cagayan previously topped Bracket A by winning twice against Ritz Tower Tacloban to enter the final round easily.

In the men’s category meanwhile, Air Force thumped Perpetual in straight sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-18 to capture the crown while National University survived Artista to place third, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 25-20.

Champion teams from both categories will take home Php 500,000 while second and third placers claim Php 300,000 and Php 200,000 respectively. – Rappler.com