ALLAN THE MAN

Philippine Army primed up for its keenly awaited duel with Cagayan Province with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 romp over Philippine National Police as it rolled to its third straight victory in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

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It was another lopsided win for the Army Women, who posted the same routs over Air Force and Navy to underscore their superior form which however will be put to test when they slug it out with the equally unbeaten Rising Suns on Sunday.

Jovelyn Gonzaga banged away 21 hits, including 15 kills, five blocks and a service ace in another impressive performance by the former Central Phl U stalwart from Iloilo City.

Chinese ace Coco Wang unloaded 15 kills while Fille Cainglet added 13 as Meralco trounced Phl Navy, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16, to keep its hold of the fourth spot.

Wang also had two blocks and Maica Morada scored three service aces and finished with 10 hits for the Power Spikers, who improved to 3-2.

Meralco survived Navy’s tough challenge in the first two sets before holding sway in the third to match Army’s sweep of PNP.

The Lady Sailors, led by Michelle Laborte’s 12 points, also fell to 0-3.

“We know that she really plays well on both offense and defense, it’s a matter of teaching her where to hit it and where to block it,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman in Pilipino, referring to Gonzaga.

De Guzman used Gonzaga, MJ Balse, Michelle Carolino, Nene Bautista, Cristina Salak and Joanne Bunag majority of the way as part of their preparation for their showdown with the Rising Suns, who boast of an equally powerhouse crew.

“I will surely play my starters against Cagayan,” he said.

The latest romp thus pushed Army, which trounced Phl Air Force, 25-22, 25-13, 25-18, last Aug. 25 and Phl Navy, 25-14, 25-12, 25-13, last week, just a game behind league leader Cagayan Province, which swept its first four games in the season-ending conference sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

“I’m still new in the team but I’m happy I’m helping them,” said Gonzaga, who also drew support from former league MVPs Balse, (10 hits), Carolino (7 points) and Bautista, who with Dahlia Cruz tossed in six hits apiece. – Joey Villar

Thai import Sangmuang Patcharee fired 12 points while Janine Marciano and Frances Molina combined for 17 hits but the Lady Patrolers still failed to match up with the vaunted Army frontline and fell to 0-3.

PNP earlier dropped a 17-25, 25-17, 25-21, 15-25, 9-15 loss to Meralco in the league opener last Aug. 18 then bowed to Smart-Maynilad, 14-25, 15-25, 17-25, last Aug. 23.

With Gonzaga and Balse on the firing end, the Army Women poured in 44 spikes as against PNP’s 27, came through with seven blocks and seven service aces against their rivals’ measly three-block, one ace effort.

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