Army guns for No. 3; Systema, RTU eye share of lead

MANILA, Philippines - Army hopes to shrug off the effects of a long rest as it battles PLDT Home Telpad today, looking for another win and a sweep of the first round elims in women’s play of the Shakey’s V-League Season II Third Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Troopers have not seen action since coming back from a set down and edging the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns in a pulsating five-setter last Oct. 7 but the reigning Open Conference champions remain the favorite in their 6 p.m. duel with the Turbo Boosters.

PLDT Home Telpad kicked off its campaign with a straight-set win over Meralco last Oct. 9 but took a 0-3 beating from Cagayan the next playdate. Still, PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb remains confident of their chances to pull off an upset although the likes of former MVP Sue Roces, Ryzabelle Devanadera, Gretchel Soltones, Angela Benting, Laurence Ann Latigay and Charo Soriano will have to double their effort to neutralize the star-studded Army crew.

Dindin Santiago, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Mary Jean Balse, Army’s top scorers after two games with 35, 27 and 25 points, respectively, are again expected to spearhead the Lady Troopers’ drive for a third straight victory in the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Put in Rachel Ann Daquis, Nerissa Bautista, Carmina Aganon, Michelle Carolino, Genie Sabas and ace setter Tina Salak, the Lady Troopers indeed look formidable with Joanne Bunag, and liberos Patricia Torres and Christine Agno also ready to explode.

Systema and Rizal Technological University, meanwhile, clash for a share of the men’s lead with both teams coming off a pair of thrilling five-setters, guaranteeing a slam-bang action in the 4 p.m. match.

The Systema Active Smashers outplayed the FEU Tams in the last two sets to snatch the win last Oct. 7 while the RTU Blue Thunder upended the pacesetting Instituto Estetico Manila Volley Masters, also by taking the last two frames last Sunday.

Games can be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

IEM paces the four-team men’s field with a 2-1 card with RTU and Systema toting identical 1-1 slates and FEU struggling with a 1-2 mark.