V-League: Cagayan Valley Rising Suns complete perfect run, top Open Conference

The Cagayan Valley Rising Suns completed a perfect conference, going undefeated all throughout to claim the Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference title with a 25-16 19-25 25-15 22-25 15-7 triumph over the Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers in the Finals, Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Cagayan Valley did not suffer a single loss through the elimination round, quarterfinals, and semis, before sweeping the best-of-three Finals series against their foes Smart-Maynilad.

The tournament's Best Scorer, Kannikha Thipachot, continued to wax hot, pouring in 24 points to lead the Rising Suns, with 20 coming off spikes. Team captain Maria Angeli Tabaquero added 18 markers, while four other players managed at least six points to notch the victory.

Aleona Santiago logged a game-high 26 points, 23 from spikes, but it wasn't enough to forge a winner-take-all game three for the Net Spikers After forcing a fifth and deciding set, Smart-Maynilad succumbed to Cagayan's attacks, falling behind 13-4. The Rising Suns got to championship point, 14-5, only for the Net Spikers to get two points back, but it only delayed the inevitable.

Alyssa Valdez and Kesinee Lithawat contributed 13 markers apiece to Smart-Maynilad's cause as well.

Cagayan Valley got a huge advantage in points off opponents' errors, winning that stat 32-21. It made up for a 17-30 deficit in excellent receptions.

Phomia Soraya was later adjudged Finals MVP  - AMD, GMA News