The Air Force Jet Spikers pulled themselves out of a horrific tailspin to come back and grabbed Game One of the Shakey’s V-League Finals, 17-25, 25-20, 15-25, 26-24, 15-11, to come within a win of their first ever title at the PhilSports Arena.
Serving hard to key areas, Pocari unsheathed their decisive strength and height advantage early in the first set. With Air Force struggling to mount an attack, Pocari’s blockers had an easy time getting block kills and digs, leading to clean offensive transitions. Back-to-back Air Force errors gave Pocari a 20-13 lead which the Jet Spikers could not overcome.
The Lady Warriors lost steam in the second set. Air Force tinkered with their lineup and established an early four-point lead, 8-4. Superb hits and defensive plays from Michele Gumabao allowed Pocari to trim the deficit down to one, 13-14, but Pocari shot their own foot with reception miscues and unforced errors. Air Force eventually reclaimed their four-point cushion, 18-14, thanks to attacks from Manzano and sealed the set win from there.
Pocari pumped up the pace in the third set, immediately getting side-outs and using their block to gain a massive 20-10 lead in the third. Staying true to their forceful style, Pocari seemed to have the match in hand, leading the fourth set 22-18, but their errors piled up at the most crucial point. Two attack errors from Elaine Kasilag peppered a 4-0 Air Force rally to tie the set. Pocari held match point at 24-23 but again surrendered back-to-back errors. At set point, Air Force received a clutch dig from Balmaceda which turned into a Manzano kill to extend the match to a fifth frame.
Pocari’s wingers then struggled to get kills in the fifth set. Frustrated by Air Force’s stingy floor defense, Pocari Sweat let Air Force take a 13-9 lead. Hits from May Pantino and Jocemer Tapic gave the match to the Jet Spikers.
“Maganda ang pinakita naming character – kahit talagang lubog na kami, naniwala lang kami na kaya pa talaga namin,” said Air Force head coach Jasper Jimenez. “Pagdating sa dulo, lumabas na lang ‘yung ineensayo namin. Nasanay na siguro ‘yung katawan namin sa bunuan.”
Air Force setter Wendy Semana tossed a season-high 65 excellent sets. May Pantino led the Jet Spikers with 17 markers, Joy Cases managed 14, while Jocemer Tapic pitched in 11 points.
Pocari dropped their first five-set match of the season. They had the advantage in both blocks (13-5) and attacks (51-46) but suffered direly down the stretch when they failed to convert their attacks.
Gumabao led all scorers with 22 points. Myla Pablo added 18, and Elaine Kasilag contributed 17 for the Lady Warriors.
Game Two will be on Saturday, 6:00 pm at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
Air Force (3) – Pantino 17, Cases 14, Tapic 11, Caballejo 8, Semana 5, Yongco 3, Manazo 2, Antipuesto 1, Abanto 0, Crisostomo (L), Balmaceda (L)
Pocari Sweat (2) – Gumabao 22, Pablo 18, Kasilag 17, Dadang 11, Malaluan 2, Sy 0, Espelita 0, Nepomuceno 0, Fajardo 0, Gohing (L)
