The reigning 2016 Open Conference Champions Philippine Air Force Airmen reigned triumphant against new team 100Plus Active Spikers in three sets, 25-11, 25-16, and 25-23, to open their Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Reinforced Conference on a high note Saturday afternoon at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Mark Alfafara and Reyson Fuentes starred for Air Force with 12 points apiece. Floor general Jessie Lopez made his presence felt by dishing 22 excellent sets in today’s victory.
The Airmen showed no signs of first game jitters, quickly displaying their might over the neophytes by erupting to a 16-6 lead midway into the opening set. 100Plus managed to score off a few attacks, 18-9, but Air Force were too much as they closed out the set with a 7-2 spurt to go up 1-0, 25-11.
100Plus kept it close early in the second frame, even tying it at 8-all. Air Force, however, still managed to get to the second technical timeout with the advantage, 16-12. The Active Spikers tried to catch up, but lost their bearings once more due to errors, allowing Air Force to pull away, 24-16, to a 2-0 lead.
Both squads ensued in a tight match-up come the third and final set, with the upper hand in 100Plus’ favor. The Active Spikers were in control, 14-10, but the Airmen came back to send it to a 20-all knot late. From there, both teams exchanged rallies, until Fuentes and Avila joined hands to claim the set and Air Force’ first win, 25-23.
“Parang medyo nag-lie low sila after maka-kuha ng two sets,” said Air Force assistant coach Clarence Esteban, who presided over head coach Rhovyl Verayo as the latter was not able to attend today’s match due to fever, on the tight third set.
“Pero sa nilaro namin ngayon, medyo satisfied naman kami sa ginagawa namin,” Esteban added.
Jasper Adorador was the lone bright spot for the new franchise with 11 markers all coming off attacks. Toshiro Wada, despite the loss, did well with 21 excellent sets.
Air Force (1-0) will face Cignal on October 10, Monday. 100Plus, meanwhile, will have a tough match against Philippine Army on Wednesday, October 5. Both matches are set at 12:30PM and will be played still in Philsports.
The Scores:
Air Force (3) – Alfafara 12, Fuentes 12, Avila 7, Labrador 6, Inaudito 5, Malabanan 4, Mojica 4, De Ocampo 1, Lopez 0, Chavez (L), Mosuela (L).
100Plus (0) – Adorador 11, Sarabia 5, Lucindo 4, Wada 2, Duran 1, Barrica 1, Cuzon 1, Gerella 1, Ocampo 0, Aureo 0, Exconde 0, Chua (L).
