Army, Navy try to keep win streak

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Army resumes its drive for a sweep of the eliminations as it battles a skidding Ateneo side even as Navy takes on another struggling team in Maynilad in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Army ladies moved two wins away from keeping their unbeaten slate after thwarting the Maynilad side in four last Sunday with the top military squad favored to get past the slumping Lady Eagles in the 2 p.m. match in the penultimate playdate of the single round elims.

Although the first conference champions are assured of a spot in the next round, the Lady Eagles, who have lost their last three games after a sweep of the first two, are expected to go all out for the victory and deal the Army tossers their first defeat.

But to do that, Fille Cainglet, the league’s leading scorer with an 18-hit norm, and No. 3 Alyssa Valdez, who averages 17 hits in five games, must sustain their form and draw the best from the rest of the team, including Angeline Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, Jemenea Ferrer, Mona Bagatsing and Leal Patnongon.

Army has been dishing out superb games behind former MVPs Mary Jean Balse and Michelle Carolino with Rachel Ann Daquis, Joanne Buñag, Marietta Carolino, Dahlia Cruz and Cristina Salak providing the needed backup.

“We always prepare hard for each game and everybody knows her role in the team,” said Daquis, who bagged the Player of the Game honors with an 11-attack, three-block and three service-point performance while sitting out the first set in Army’s 25-22, 25-15, 25-27, 25-15 win over Maynilad last Sunday.

That stretched Army’s run to four as it joined San Sebastian and Navy in the quarterfinal round of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Maynilad Water.

At 2-3, Ateneo is a cinch to make it to the next round although the Lady Eagles are hoping to get into the quarters on a winning note.

Navy, meanwhile, is out to notch its fourth win in five games against Maynilad in the 4 p.m. match with the latter hard pressed to improve its 1-3 mark and avoid falling into a possible playoff with Perpetual Help for the last quarters slot.

Winless in five games, Perpetual is hoping for a pair of Maynilad losses and its own win over Navy in the final elims playdate on Thursday to force a playoff.

Meanwhile, the Army-Maynilad game will be aired today (Tuesday) on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. and on GMA-7’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA LifeTV and GMA News TV, according to the organizing Sports Vision.