THAI imports Pacharee Saengmuang and Hyapha Amporn scored 19 points each as Cagayan Valley edged Army, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 20-25, 15-9, on Sunday to complete a finals sweep in the Shakey's V-League Foreign Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Saengmuang scored six straight points as the Lady Rising Suns fought back from a 5-6 deficit to move to match point, 14-8. Army held on after a block but the Rising Suns got the won on an error by Rachel Anne Daquis.
Cagayan Valley bagged its second title in the league and avenged its Open Conference loss to Army.
The Lady Rising Suns downed the Lady Troopers in the opener of the best-of-three series a week ago, 25-23, 20-25, 25-21, 25-18.
The Rising Suns won the import-laden Open Conference via 16-match sweep and added the Reinforced Conference title this time, but coach Nes Pamilar is hoping to clinch an All-Filipino title soon. Second place for Army was actually a strong finish, as it saw action without foreign players.
“’Yung 16-0 medyo mas masaya ’yun kasi unang-una history 'yun pero ngayon masaya syempre kasi naghirap din kami kasi never kami nanalo from first round to second round dyan sa Army, so maganda itong bawi namin kasi na 2-0 namin sila sa best-of-three Finals series," said Lady Rising Suns mentor Nes Pamilar.
“Siguro meron pa rin kaming kailangan i-prove kasi sasabihin nanalo lang kami may import so kailangan pa namin pag pursigihan sa mga susunod,” he added.
Aiza Maizo completed a sweep of the top individual titles, adding the Finals MVP title to the Conference MVP award. She scored 25 points in the match that took two hours and 11 minutes.
Daquis delivered 18 points for Army, while Dindin Santiago and Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 14 apiece and Ging Balse contributed 10.
Santiago and Mina Aganon were given a last minute approval by Super Liga side Petron to play for Army. The former National University players who are playing for the Lady Troopers as guest players, have a contract with the Blaze Spikers in the PSL Grand Prix.
Unbeaten Petron is playing against winless Foton in the PSL at posting time.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila kung nandyan man ’yung dalawa, ok lang, kung wala ok lang, dahil nag-ensayo tayo ng nandyan sila application lang ng inensayo natin (ang kailangan)," said Pamilar.