Army, Smart dispute second finals berth

Game today (4 p.m. – Army vs Smart-Maynilad)

MANILA, Philippines - Army and Smart-Maynilad slug it out today in a do-or-die match for the right to face unbeaten Cagayan Province in the finals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

Odds remain even between the two equally talented squads with the Army Women hoping to cash in on whatever momentum they had gained following their thrilling five-set win in Game Two of their Final Four duel last Friday.

The Net Spikers, on the other hand, try to prove their resiliency as they seek to re-assert their mastery over the Army Women whom they beat back-to-back, including a four-set win in Game One, before Friday’s setback.

“We’ll go all out to get back at them but we need consistency and it’s also important to have a strong start,” said Smart-Maynilad coach Roger Gorayeb, whose wards fought back from a first-set loss to win the next two in impressive fashion, only to drop the last two, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 23-25, 10-15.

Gorayeb also hopes top hitter Din Din Santiago gets the go-signal from National U to play in time for the all-important match set at 4 p.m.

“We’re hoping Din Din will play but we’re still not sure,” added Gorayeb of the top Lady Bulldog, who steered the school to its first-ever Shakey’s V-League crown in the first conference last May.

With or without Santiago, the MVP in the first conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s, Army is ready to take on Smart-Maynilad, confident of repeating over a team backstopped by two Thai aces and Ateneo’s top hitter.

“It’s back to zero in Game 3. But the team with the bigger heart has the edge,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman. “We just hope we have gained some momentum although it’s really difficult to say one’s chances in a do-or-die game.”

That makes the match doubly interesting with De Guzman hoping to spring another surprise after drawing a solid game from seldom-used Dahlia Cruz, who saw action just in the last two sets but scored eight crucial hits.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, a double-digit performer, is also expected to bounce back from a so-so nine-point game last Friday, so do Rachel Anne Daquis and Michelle Carolino while MJ Balse, Joanne Bunag, Jacqueline Alarca and setter Cristina Salak hope to sustain their top form.

Alyssa Valdez will remain the marked player for Smart-Maynilad along with Thais Lithawat Kesinee and Wanida Kotruang.