CAGAYAN Valley survived a huge challenge from Navy, 25-18, 25-7, 22-25, 23-25, 15-9, and gained a share of second spot on Sunday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas scored 24 points to lead the Lady Rising Suns to their fourth win in five matches, joining Philippine Army in second place behind unbeaten PLDT (6-0).
Ria Meneses scored 18 points, Pau Soriano added 11 markers and Rosemarie Vargas chipped in with 10 for Cagayan Valley.
Natural spiker Bhebs Pineda, playing libero for Cagayan Valley, came up with 11 points and nine digs in a match that took an hour and 54 minutes to finish.
Cagayan Valley coach Nes Pamilar said that he expected a tough match, saying starters Meneses, Vargas and Soriano were recently hospitalized due to viral infection. Skipper Angge Tabaquero is out with a right shoulder injury and Janine Marciano also sat out with a stressed left shin.
“Expected ko na hahaba kasi may viral infection na dumapo sa team,” said Pamilar, whose squad practices at Dumlao gym in Mandaluyong.
“Siguro dahil sa pinagpa-praktisan namin, masyadong kulob at mainit,” he added.
“Disappointed kasi ang baba ng laro, pero ok na ’yan kung ano lang ang kaya ’wag pilitin ang sarili,” he said.
Skipper Lilet Mabbayad and Jolina Labiano each had 13 points for Navy. Norie Jane Diaz scored 12 and Carissa Martinez chipped in with 11 for the Lady Sailors, who dropped to sixth spot with a 2-4 card.
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