Air Force rips Sta. Elena, gains Spikers' Turf semis

Games Saturday

3 p.m. – IEM vs Sta. Elena

5 p.m. – Cignal vs Navy 

MANILA, Philippines - Air Force pressed its attacks from all angles then weathered Sta. Elena’s series of comebacks to hack out a 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 victory and move within a win of sweeping the elims of the Spikers’ Turf Season I Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Ruben Inaudito rammed in 11 kills while Reyson Fuentes came through with nine attack points and the duo combined for four blocks to help power the Airmen to their fourth straight victory and into the semifinal round of the season-ending conference of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

The Wrecking Balls actually kept the game close in all sets but just couldn’t unleash a strong finishing kick to prevent the Airmen from completing the 79-minute romp. 

“We were more aggressive on our attacking game and it put them off balance,” said Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo, who will be shooting for a sweep against PLDT Home Ultera on Sunday.

Sta. Elena fell to fifth at 1-3 and in danger of missing the Final Four.

Cignal closed in on the second semis berth with a 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-17 victory over Instituto Estetico Manila for a 3-1 card while PLDT Home Ultera moved up to solo third at 2-2 with a 25-22, 29-27, 25-14 win over Navy.

Lorenzo Capati Jr. unleashed a 16-hit game while Edmar Bonono scored 10 points and Jeffrey Lansangan added nine markers for the HD Spikers, who bucked a shaky first set to sweep the next three.

The HD Spikers also produced 10 blocks although Eden Canlas still came away with a game-high 21 hits for the Volley Masters, who virtually bowed out of the semis race with a 0-3 card.

Mark Alfafara unloaded an 18-hit game while Ron Galang, Peter Torres and Henry Peca-a combined for 30 points as the Ultra Fast Hitters overpowered the Sailors, 51-33, to fashion out the victory.

Navy, led by Nur Madsari’s 15 hits, slid to fourth at 1-2.