The Philippine Air Force Lady Jet Spikers stole the top seed from the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in four sets, 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15, in the final preliminary round game of the Shakey’s V League Season 13 Open Conference, Monday night at the Philsports Arena.
Air Force needed to win in three to four sets to grab the first spot in the standings from an unbeaten Pocari squad.
“Very crucial ‘yung nangyari. Isang puntos lang pala [ang nagpa-lamang sa amin], kaya blessing in disguise na rin,” said Air Force head coach Jasper Jimenez.
After a first set in which Pocari led all the way and which they took 25-20, the Lady Jet Spikers fought back in a tight early second set and led, 13-12. Air Force then unleashed a 12-5 barrage, highlighted by Judy Caballejo’s back-to-back service aces, to finish the set, 25-17, for the Jet Spikers.
Trailing by a point in the third set, 21-22, Air Force showed composure to take the set after a four-to-nothing run via attacks from Joy Cases and Jocemer Tapic, who scored 17 apiece to carry the Lady Jet Spikers.
In the final set, the Lady Warriors seemed tired and committed seven untimely errors, of which the Jet Spikers took advantage.
“Siguro may impact ‘yung [may 5-set game ang Pocari two days ago] kasi siguro ‘yung muscles nila is very tight,” said Jimenez. “Pero ang ganda rin ng umpisa [ng Pocari].”
Aside from the unforced errors committed by their opponents in the fourth set, Air Force also relied on their scoring leaders in Cases, Tapic, Caballejo, and Pantino, who all scored in double digits.
Caballejo served as the leader of her team, inspiring her teammates to maintain composure even after dropping the first set.
“[Kahit] natalo kami nu’ng first set, [sabi ko] dapat ‘wag kang ma-low morale, kasi magtutuloy-tuloy ‘yun. Sabi nga nila coach kanina, dapat may magstep up sa’min. Blessing naman sa’min kasi lahat kami nagstep up,” said Caballejo ,who scored 14 off seven attacks and five service aces.
Air Force will go up against a younger fourth seed Laoag team, while Pocari will face Bali Pure in another Battle of the Beverages. Both series will be best-of-three.
“Kahit mas may edad ‘yung team namin, pinapanghawakan namin na solid kami. Magiging factor ‘yun,” Jimenez concluded.
The Scores:
Air Force (3) – Tapic 17, Cases 17, Caballejo 14, Pantino 12, Semana 4, Antipuesto 4, Yongco 0, Manzano 0, Abanto 0, Crisostomo (L), Balmaceda (L)
Pocari Sweat (1) – Pablo 16, Gumabao 10, Kasilag 10, Malaluan 4, Baliton 3, Dadang 3, Nepomuceno 2, Sy 2, Alkuino 1, Vargas 1, Fajardo 0, Espelita 0, Gohing (L)
