Hot Army eyes No. 3; SSC tests Maynilad

MANILA, Philippines - Streaking Army tries to stretch its win run to three as it takes on winless Perpetual Help even as San Sebastian tests Maynilad’s mettle at resumption of action in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

With former MVPs Mary Jean Balse and Michelle Carolino on the firing end, the Army spikers grounded fellow military teams Navy and Air Force to remain the lone unbeaten squad in the seven-team field vying for the first “Open” crown in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Army tops the league in spikes (36.67 percent success) and blocks (2.57 per set) and setting with 14.71 average per set, making them the most cohesive unit this early in the conference.

They hope to sustain their top form against a Perpetual side still trying to nail the elusive win after four tries and averting an early exit in the tournament backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water. Gametime is at 4 p.m.

Sandra delos Santos, April Sartin and Honey Tubino are expected to banner Perpetual’s bid again along with Thai reinforcements Wirawan Sattayanichit and Piyatida Lasungnern and guest player April Hingpit and mainstays Arriane Argarin, Ronerry dela Cruz and Janice Abar.

The Lady Stags, on the other hand, seek to remain on top but face a tough Maynilad team coming off a week-long break in the 6 p.m main game of a triplebill. For live streaming, log on to www.v-league.ph.

The lone commercial squad in the league, organized by Sports Vision, last saw action April 4 where it fought back from two sets down to nip a hard-luck Perpetual side in five sets, to even its card at 1-1 following a straight-set loss to Ateneo in opening day.

American Lauren Ford, the league’s leading scorer with an 18-hit norm, along with Thai Jang Baulee, Joy Benito, Rubie de Leon, Jill Gustilo, Janette Doria and libero Mary Jane Pepito are tipped to spearhead SSC’s crack at fourth win in five games and a spot in the quarterfinal round.

But Maynilad is raring to strut its wares and stop SSC’s charge on a team built around guest player Joy Cases and mainstays Nica Guliman, Mervic Mangui, Beverly Boto, Margarita Pepito, Ma. Josephine Cafrance and top setter Charisse Ancheta.

Ateneo, the first conference champion, tries to rebound from successive defeats as it collides with a tough Navy side in the 2 p.m. opener.

The Lady Eagles, who swept their first two matches, dropped to 2-2 in a tie with a resurgent Air Force while the Navy spikers are in joint fifth with Maynilad.

Meanwhile, the SSC-Ateneo duel will be shown starting at 2 p.m. and on GMA-7’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV.