Cagayan seeks Shakey’s V-L sweep versus PNP tossers

Games today

2 p.m. – Cagayan vs PNP

4 p.m. – Smart vs Navy

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Province goes for a sweep of the elims as it tangles with Philippine National Police today even as Smart-Maynilad re-acquires former Thai ace as it steps up its quarterfinal drive against Navy in the Shakey’s V-League 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Fresh from their rousing straight-set win over the Army Women last Sunday, the Rising Suns try to cap their dominant campaign in the single round elims with another victory against the Lady Patrolers in their 2 p.m. encounter before taking a long break.

Meanwhile, Lithawat Kesinee arrived yesterday and is expected to suit up for Smart-Maynilad, which takes on Navy at 4 p.m.

“She (Kesinee) arrived today (yesterday) and will play tomorrow (today),” said Smart coach Roger Gorayeb.

With Kesinee around, the Net Spikers hope to check their back-to-back losses after a three-game run and formalize their stint in the quarterfinals of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

But they face a Navy side also needing another win to enhance its own quarters bid. The Lady Sailors snapped their three-game skid with a three-set win over the Far Eastern U Lady Tams, also last Sunday, to move to solo sixth.

Cagayan, on the other hand, is tipped to get past winless PNP and close out its elims assignment with a perfect 9-0 card for a big cushion in the quarters and a clear shot at the No. 1 seed in the semis.

Led by the Thai pair of Kannika Thipachot and Phomia Soraya, the Rising Suns hammered out a surprisingly lopsided 25-9, 25-16, 25-20 victory over the Army Women to pull away from the pack.

The power-hitting Thipachot uncorked a match-high 17 hits, including 16 kills, while Soraya came up with 37 excellent sets.

Meanwhile, the Navy-FEU match last Sunday will be shown on GMA News TV Channel 11 today (Tuesday) starting at 1 p.m. while the Army-Cagayan duel will be aired tomorrow, according to the organizing Sports Vision.