THE SANDUGO-SAN SEBASTIAN tries to end it all today as it seeks another win over the Cagayan Valley-Perpetual Help to claim the title in Game Two of the Shakey’s V-League Open finals tonight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Lady Stags battled back from a set down twice then outlasted the Rising Suns in the decider to essay an 18-25, 29-27, 14-25, 25-13, 15-7 thriller in the opener of their best-of-three title series last Sunday.
Ateneo also tries to close out its series for third with Army at 4 p.m. with the Eagles out to duplicate their scrambling 25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-13 victory in Game One.
The Lady Stags proved power and teamwork are what makes a champion team with Thai imports Jeng Bualee and Utaiwan Kaensing spearheading Sandugo’s attack with 40 kills for a team total of 65 against Cagayan’s 52. The Rising Suns, who like the Sandugo side are seeking their first crown on their very first try, out-blocked their fancied rivals, 9-7, and had more service aces, 9-7, but just couldn’t sustain their pace when it mattered most in the decider.
Still, Cagayan Valley, bannered by MVP Sandra delos Santos, Joy Cases and Honey Tubino and reinforced by Thais Kunbang Pornpimol and Sutadta Chuewulim, remains confident of its chances./Correspondent Jonas Panerio