CAGAYAN Valley is now one win away from booking a seat in the Finals of the Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference.
The Lady Rising Suns recovered from an opening-set loss to down Philippine Air Force, 17-25, 30-28, 25-19, 25-9, and take the opener of their best-of-three semifinals match at The Arena in San Juan on Tuesday.
Thai reinforcement Kannika Thipachot came away with 23 points, while Aiza Maizo and Pau Soriano contributed 15 and 10 markers, respectively for the Lady Rising Suns.
Cagayan remains perfect in 13 games and is now just a win short of advancing to the title series.
The Lady Rising Suns cling to a 27-26 in the second set when Thiapachot and Maizo came with a combined four points to seal the set.
Cagayan gained momentum in the third set after pouring in five straight points, including three service aces from Sandra delos Santos to race to a 17-12 lead in the third, before starting the fourth with a 12- 2 run.
Nine errors in the final set doomed Air Force for good.
“Nag-rely kasi kami kay Angge (Tabaquero) eh hindi niya kaya, kaya nilabas ko na lang," said Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar referring to team captain Angge Tabaquero, who is suffering from various injuries ranging from shoulder, ankle, and knee.
“Hindi niya mabalanse ang talon niya tapos si (Wenneth) Eulalio may sakit rin,” he added. “Tamang-tama naman may mga pamalit ako na ready maglaro.”
Former NCAA MVP and University of Perpetual Help star Delos Santos came with six service aces for Cagayan, which registered 10 service aces.
Joy Cases finished with 17 points, Judy Ann Caballejo had 12, and Maika Ortiz and Liza de Ramos each had 10 for Air Force.