Sandugo-SSC Cagayan face off for Shakey's lead

Manila, Philippines -   Sandugo-San Sebastian tests Cagayan Valley’s mettle in a duel of opening day winners while defending champion Army shoots for a share of the lead in the second playdate of the Shakey’s V-League Open at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today.

The Lady Stags lived up to the hype but needed to sweat it out before repulsing first conference champion Ateneo, 27-25, 25-19, 25-20, to cap a three-match sweep in the opener of the league’s ninth season’s second conference Sunday.

Earlier, Army opened its title-retention campaign with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-13 romp over Navy while newcomer Cagayan Valley upended Far Eastern U, 25-20, 25-12, 25-21, to share the lead in the early going of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

How the gutsy Cagayan crew will handle Sandugo’s awesome firepower will be known starting at 2 p.m. with Thai hitter Jeng Bualee expected to carry the scoring load again for the Lady Stags after spraying the Lady Eagles with 16 hits, including 14 kills.

Games can be viewed live on streaming on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision and aired on a delayed basis on AKTV.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan-FEU match will be aired on AKTV starting at 7 tonight with the Sandugo-Ateneo duel to be shown next at 9 p.m.-11 p.m.

Skipper Suzanne Roces also hopes to sustain her solid all-around game after scoring 13 points along with former MVP Nene Bautista, Thai Utaiwan Kaensing, Angela Benting and Rubie de Leon, who combined for 25 points for Sandugo-SSC.

But the Rising Suns, who also boast of Thai reinforcements, proved they are worthy contenders by disposing of the Lady Tams with Sandra delos Santos leading the attack with 23 hits. Kunbang Pornpimol and Sutadta Chuewulim backed her up with 11 points apiece while Joy Cases scored 10 points.

The Army ladies, meanwhile, hope to keep the momentum of their opening day win against the Lady Tams in the 6 p.m. main with Michelle Carolino and Rachel Ann Daquis out to duplicate their 14 and 13-point efforts and the rest raring to go again in the event backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Ateneo, meanwhile, tries to bounce back as it clashes with Navy at 4 p.m. with Alyssa Valdez and Dzi Gervacio expected to step up their respective games along with fellow mainstays Gretchen Ho, Fille Cainglet, Denise Lazaro, Jam Ferrer and Beatriz Tan.