Roehl Niño Bautista | FCF

Cagayan Valley averted a possible blemish on their undefeated record, after beating out Philippine Army over a five-set game in the final quarterfinal round playing date of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference on Sunday night at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Rising Suns started hotly on the court ending the first set with a 10-point lead, but the Lady Troopers got back to their feet and ended up taking the two next sets. Army’s effort wasn’t enough though to subdue the current top team in the league. Cagayan bounced back by the fourth set and forced a fifth. A tight race ensued in the first minutes of the fifth set but Cagayan found their ground and left the Army trailing behind.

With the win, Cagayan Valley end up with a 10-game win streak and solidified their status as the top contender in the competition.

Cagayan’s Thai import Kannika Thipachot was the game’s best scorer at 24 points, followed by Ange Tabaquero and Aiza Maizo with 17 points apiece. Rachel Daquis, on the other hand, led Army with 20.

As the league moves on to the semifinal round, Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar said they might be doing something different, as best-of-three semifinals opponent Air Force is already familiar with their style of play.

In other matches, Philippine Air Force shook off their Philippine National Police counterparts in four sets, while Smart-Maynilad had their hands full in overhauling a 1-2 deficit to down Meralco in five sets.

Top-seeded Cagayan Valley will take on Philippine Air Force, while Philippine Army takes on Smart-Maynilad in the best-of-three semifinal round unfurling on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.

RESULTS – October 6, 2013:
First game: Philippine Air Force d. Philippine National Police, 3-1
SETS: 25-16, 25-22, 14-25, 25-17

Second game: Cagayan Valley d. Philippine Army, 3-2
SETS: 25-15, 20-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9

Third game: Smart-Maynilad d. Meralco, 3-2
SETS: 25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-12