The Philippine Air Force Air Spikers, composed of a younger core, nailed its second straight win in the Spikers Turf Reinforced Conference in dispatching the Cignal HD Spikers 25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 25-21 late Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The Air Spikers, who were already leading against the HD Spikers one set to none, comfortably took away the second set, led by the offensive brilliance of Rodolfo Labrador, burying the HD Spikers two sets to none disadvantage as they struggle to contain the former FEU Tamaraw from wrecking further damage to the HD Spikers.
Air Force and Cignal exchanged attacks and errors in the early part of the third set. Alexis Faytaren scored down the line to give the HD Spikers a 16-14 lead heading to the second technical timeout. Afterward, Faytaren, Edmar Bonono,Herschel Ramos and Lorenzo Capate Jr joined forces scoring and defending well, as the errors of the Air Spikers helped Cignal to extend the match.
In the fourth set with Air Force leading 16-14, the Air Spikers relied on Reyson Fuentes, Jeffrey Malabanan and Reuben Inaudito in shutting the door for an extension of the match in favor of the HD Spikers.
“Ang dami pa dapat i-improve,” said Air Force Coach Rhovyl Verayo despite getting the second straight victory for the Air Spikers.
“Yung First ball, bawas sa error at huwag maging kampante sa laro,” Verayo cited as the things to improve and the reasons why the Air Spikers dropped the third straight in favor of the HD Spikers.
Verayo also said the Air Spikers need to adjust its rotation after Ranran Abdilla suffered a hamstring injury during the first set, and Edwin Tolentino, who sat out this game with a right shoulder injury he suffered during their first assignment against the IEM Volley Masters last week.
“Ang Coaching Staff at mga tao kailangan mag adjust para maka score, kaya nilagay ko si (Rodolfo) Labrador at (Mike) Abria sa open spiker position para mapunan ang nawala sa dalawa,” Verayo said.
Labrador led the Air Spikers with 20 points, 17 coming from attacks and three from blocks while Fuentes chippe 12 markers.
Capate finished with 13 points for the HD Spikers while Bonono and Edward Ybanez contributed 12 markers apiece.
The Philippine Air Force (2-0) will next face the Philippine Navy Sailors on October 25 at 5:00 PM while Cignal’s (1-1) next assignment is against the Sta.Elena Wrecking Balls on October 24 at 3:00 PM at the same venue.
The Scores:
PHI Air Force (3) – Labrador 20, Fuentes 12, Inaudito 10, Malabanan 10, Abria 8, Balse 1, Lopez 1, Avila 0, Abdilla 0, Mosuela (L)
Cignal (1) – Capate 13, Ybanez 12, Bonono 12, Faytaren 7, Ramos 7, Ablan 2, Diezmo 1, Christensen 1, Relata 0, Lee 0, Montero (L)
