Games Tuesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m.- Navy vs. Meralco

4 p.m.- Army vs Fourbees-Perpetual 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Former champion Cagayan Valley used its experience and overpowered newcomer Fourbees-Perpetual Help, 25-13, 25-12, 25-10, while Navy also swept a debuting Coast Guard, 26-24, 25-14, 25-18, yesterday at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Rising Suns, who have been together for three years now, needed just a little over one hour to wallop the Lady Altas, made up of players from the Las Pinas-based school, and secure the win with coach Nes Pamilar having the luxury of using all her 14 players with all but two churning out at least a hit.

“We’re just the more experienced team,” said Pamilar, who drew nine hits apiece from veteran Ma. Angeli Tabaquero and former San Beda hotshot Janine Nicole Marciano.

The Rising Suns, starring their aces, went on an attack mode early and were never really threatened in the match aired liver over GMA News TV Channel 11.

Then Pamilar went to his bench and sat out his starters – Tabaquero, Marciano, Pau Soriano, Wenneth Eulalio, Chie Saet and reigning MVP Aiza Maizo-Pontejos – with rookies Marivic Meneses and Elaine Sagun dishing out impressive games.

Meneses, a University of Santo Tomas mainstay and the UAAP’s Best Blocker, scored five hits while Sagun, a vital cog in Arellano University’s NCAA title reign two months ago, added four markers.

“They have the potential and they are good additions to our team,” said Pamilar of Meneses and Sagun.

Jamel Suyat produced eight hits for the Sammy Acaylar-coached Perpetual side hoping to gain experience in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Sports Vision.

Later in the day, Navy banked on Hezzymie Acuña and Pauline May Genido, who unloaded 12 and 10 hits, respectively, as the Sailor Women joined the Rising Suns in the early lead in the season-opening of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

“Our goal is to try to finish in the top four and this is a good start for us,” said Navy coach Edgardo Rusit.

Rossan Fajardo led Lady Dolphins, who are coached by Arnold Laniog, with 18 hits but couldn’t get enough support from the rest of the squad.

Meanwhile, the Navy-Coast Guard match will be aired at 1 p.m. Monday, also on GMA News TV Channel 11.