Despite a heroic comeback attempt by Smart-Maynilad, Cagayan Valley maintains their unblemished mark in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference.
The Lady Rising Suns, backed by the core of the women’s national team that competed in the recent Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand, denied the Net Spikers a comeback victory from two sets down to take Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals series on Tuesday night at The Arena in San Juan City.
Thai reinforcement Kannika Thipatchot, who earlier received the award for Best Scorer of the tournament, tallied 25 points to lead all scorers in the match. Captain Angeli Tabaquero added 16, despite Coach Nes Pamilar noting of her struggles during the latter stages of the contest.
Riding on a 14 game winning streak entering the match, Cagayan barely gained a 26-24 first set win before cruising to a 25-11 second set win.
To make matters worse for Smart-Maynilad, Alyssa Valdez went down with an injury after landing awkwardly on her right shoulder early in the third set. But Valdez later returned, boosting the Net Spikers’ cause in making a huge turnaround to take the next two sets by a count of 25-23 and 25-11.
In the decisive fifth set, Smart-Maynilad blinked first in the late stages to allow Cagayan Valley to take the game.
Lithawat Kensinee led the Net Spikers with 20 points, while Jaja Santiago gathered 12 points in the loss.
Philippine Army, on the other hand, got the upper hand on their Bronze medal series, gaining a three-set win over Philippine Air Force.
Joy Cases finished with 19 points, followed by Iari Yongco’s 13 points.
Meanwhile, the tournament’s top performers were named prior to Game 1 of the Finals.
Philippine Army’s Jovelyn Gonzaga gained the top honors as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, together with the Best Attacker plum. Fellow Lady Trooper Mary Jean Balse gained the Best Server award.
Meralco’s Maureen Penetrante-Ouano was awarded Best Blocker, with fellow Power Spiker Jen Reyes named as the Best Receiver. Cagayan Valley’s Thipatchot gained the distinction as Best Scorer, while fellow Lady Rising Sun Phomia Soraya was named as Best Setter to become the lone imports named to the all-tournament team.
Smart-Maynilad libero Melissa Gohing was awared Best Digger to round out the list of awardees.
