V-League: Thipachot-powered Rising Suns bring Air Force down to the ground

Kannika Thipachot scored a game-high 23 points as the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns drew first blood against the Philippine Air Force, 17-25 30-28 25-19 25-9, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, in the best-of-three semifinals of the Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference.

Thipachot helped Cagayan bounce back from a flat start, as her side conceded the first set. However, the Rising Suns, who went undefeated through the quarterfinals, bounced back with aplomb, including taking the clincher 25-9 in just 19 minutes of action.

Aiding Thipachot was Aizo Maizo, who scored 15 points, 12 via spikes, three off blocks. Pau Soriano also timed in with 10, while coach Nestor Pamilar rotated Wenneth Eulalio and Sandra Delos Santos, and the moved resulted in 17 points between the two Rising Suns.

Joy Cases led the way for the Air Force with 17 markers, while Judy Ann Caballejo added 12. The two also combined for 23 of their side's 46 spikes. Maika Ortiz and team captain Liza De Ramos scored 10 apiece.

Cagayan Valley led the way in the non-scoring skills, getting a 39-22 advantage in excellent digs, and a 46-33 difference in excellent sets. - AMD, GMA News