MANILA, Philippines – Air Force continued to soar with its superb all-around game, blasting Laoag, 25-20, 26-24, 26-24, to move within a victory from nailing the first finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
But the victory didn’t come easy as the Jet Spikers needed to fight back from five points down late in the second set and re-group after blowing a 19-16 lead in the third.
On both occasions, veteran Judy Caballejo stepped up, coming through with key hits to clinch the sets for the Jet Spikers, including the last two points – on an off-the-block hit and a service ace that ended the tightly fought encounter and gave Air Force a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semis series in the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
“She just took over in crucial situations for us,” said Air Force coach Jeffrey Jimenez of his top hitter, who finished with 15 points.
BaliPure atoned for its foldup the last time out, completing its sweep of Pocari Sweat this time, 25-20, 25-19, 26-24, to likewise take a step closer to the finals of the conference.
Alyssa Valdez marked her 23rd birthday with a 24-hit performance, including 19 attack points, the last shattering the 24-all count in the third before Amy Ahomiro came through with an ace to wrap up the victory.
“It’s our gift to Alyssa,” said BaliPure player-coach Charo Soriano, referring to their win which more than made up for their collapse in their last Saturday’s encounter in the elims where the Water Defenders blew a two-set lead and dropped a stinging 25-21, 25-6, 24-26, 25-27, 17-29 loss to the Lady Warriors.
Trailing, 17-22, in the second frame, the Jet Spikers went to the power-hitting Caballejo, who responded with a series of spikes, including one that shoved them to a 25-24 lead before scoring on a service ace to steal the set for a two-set lead.
With the game tied at 24 in the third, the former UST star also came through with an off-the-block hit then unloaded another ace to seal the victory and avenge their similar straight-set loss to the Power Smashers in the elims two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, top seed Cignal and No. 2 Air Force trampled their respective semifinal rivals in similar fashions to move closer to a title duel for the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Open Conference crown.
The HD Spikers, who swept the single round elims among six teams, recovered from a second set setback and repulsed a surprisingly tough Sta. Elena side, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24, at the start of their best-of-three semifinal series.