MANILA, Philippines – The fate of former league MVP Dindin Santiago in Game Two of the Shakey’s V-League Season 10-Open Conference best-of-three championship at The Arena in San Juan City remained uncertain.
Smart coach Roger Gorayeb said he has not gotten word if 6-1 Santiago, who emerged the MVP of the Season 10 First Conference and steered National U to the crown the same conference, will be allowed by her mother UAAP school to play in Sunday's Game Two.
"Honestly, I'm really not sure because I've heard NU is leaving on Monday for the University Games in Bacolod City," Gorayeb told The STAR Wednesday.
Gorayeb said if Santiago eventually gets to play in Game Two, it’s a certainty she will no longer suit up for the Net Spikers if their series with the Cagayan Rising Suns goes the distance on Oct. 27 since she will still be in Bacolod by that time.
"If Dindin will be allowed to play in Game Two, we'll be happy because I know she will not make it in Game Three, in case we manage to make it that far," said Gorayeb.
Cagayan took the series opener Tuesday, 26-24, 25-11, 23-25, 11-25, 15-12, thanks to the late-match heroics of Aiza Maizo.
Game Two is set on Sunday while a decider, if necessary, is on Oct. 27.
Gorayeb also said Smart's top scorer Alyssa Valdez isn't injured after hurting her neck and right shoulder in an accidental collision with teammate Maruja Banaticla in the third set of their Game One duel.
"She's okay, she is available in Game Two," said Gorayeb of the power-hitting Valdez. (From Philstar.com)