Rising Suns eye series-extending Game 2 win

MANILA, Philippines – Cagayan Valley coach Nes Pamilar knows they need to put up a gallant front for his team to get back at Army and force a deciding Game Three in their Shakey's V-League Season 11 Open Conference title duel at The Arena in San Juan City.

Pamilar, who steered his team to last year's title, rued its poor reception and a net defense full of holes as factors that led to the Rising Suns' 19-25, 25-18, 25-18 and 5-25 defeat at the hands of the Lady Troopers in Sunday's series opener.

He was also not happy with the total meltdown in the fourth set where Cagayan was held to a record-low output.

"Our reception was really bad and our defense up front was on and off," said Pamilar in Filipino. "I was also disappointed with how we imploded in the fourth set. We just lost it completely in there."

Game Two is set at 2:45 p.m. Sunday at the same venue.

A decider, if necessary, is on Sept. 7.

Pamilar though isn't pushing the panic button just yet saying the Rising Suns must not be intimidated.

"We played a little tight and nervous most of the match. We must show them we're not intimidated and we can compete against them even though we're the underdogs in this series," said Pamilar.

Proof of that was the second set, when Cagayan Valley played like the defending champions after taking it to Army and snaring the second set to level the count at one set apiece.

And then Army took over as Cagayan Valley lost it way.

"That second set showed what we really are. If we can play like that the whole game, we'll have a chance.