Net Spikers edge Army Women in thriller

Games tomorrow

2 p.m. – PNP vs Air Force

4 p.m. – Cagayan vs Army

6 p.m. – Meralco vs Smart-Maynilad

Standings            w            l

*Cagayan            11           0

*Army  9              2

*Smart 7              4

*Air Force           6              5

Meralco               4              7

PNP       2              9

*Semifinalists

MANILA, Philippines - Smart-Maynilad proved steadier in the end as it squeaked past Army in a thrilling five-setter, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13, last night to hand idle Cagayan Province the top seeding in the Final Four of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Wanida Kotruang, Smart’s new Thai recruit, scored on a quick set that made it 14-12 in the fifth but muffed a potential clincher in the next play when she slammed her next kill into the net, enabling Army to threaten within one again.

But Sue Roces used her experience and deceived Army’s net defense with a drop shot while going for a kill, clinching the hard-earned victory for the Net Spikers, who improved to 7-4.

“She will be a big help in our campaign,” said Smart coach Roger Gorayeb of Kotruang.

The win also assured Cagayan of the No. 1 spot heading to the semis with the Rising Suns going for a sweep of their 12 matches against the Army Women, who dropped to 9-2, tomorrow.

But Smart-Maynilad has to beat Meralco in the final quarters playdate to arrange a semis clash with Army as Air Force, toting a 6-5 card, still has a chance to force a tie for third with a victory over Phl National Police coupled with a Smart loss in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

Thai Lithawat Kesinee and Alyssa Valdez combined for 43 hits while Kotruang finished with eight points and Roces added seven for the Net Spikers, who broke away from a see-saw battle in the fifth, 5-5, to take 8-5 and 9-6 leads.

But the Army Women fought back to tie the match again at 11 before the Net Spikers took four of the next six points to wrap up the 1:50-hour encounter.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Ann Daquis scored 19 hits each for Army, whose bid which also drew 11 points apiece from Joanne Bunag and MJ Balse. Army’s libero Patricia Torres also sustained an injury midway in the decider.

Earlier, Meralco held off Phl National Police, 25-19, 25-15, 16-25, 25-23, in a duel of ousted teams.