Team Laoag Power Smashers made a bold statement in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference after sweeping the Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers, 25-14, 25-23, and 25-23 Saturday evening at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Power Smashers, in the opening set, took advantage of Air Force’s sloppy play and coasted to a dominant 20-9 advantage behind the offense of Jovelyn Prado, Katherine Villegas, Jema Galanza, and Mylene Paat. Air Force regained their rhythm to chip in a few points, but time was not on their side as Team Laoag converted their attacks seamlessly to snag the first set, 25-14.
It was a different story in the second set, as Air Force finally loosened up their muscles and matched even with Team Laoag. The set was a neck-and-neck battle, as both teams punched in deadlocks after deadlocks and took turns taking leads. From a 23-all knot, Prado and Galanza joined forces to hit the last two points for the Power Smashers and go up two sets to none, 25-23.
Air Force opened up the third set by cruising to an 8-3 lead right away, but Team Laoag displayed hustle on both ends to go ahead, 12-11, after a service ace by team captain Chi Saet. Team Laoag took care of the lead, not allowing Air Force to mount a comeback. The trio of Galanza, Prado, and Paat worked wonders for the Power Smashers as they won the set, 25-23, thus sweeping Air Force.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila nung training, lahat na sa inyo na. Skills, lahat. Wala na lang kumpiyansa. So pinraktis namin yun. Kaya tingin ko kaya kami nakapanalo ng straight sets,” said Team Laoag head coach Nes Pamilar, with regards to the team’s victory.
Prado led all scorers with 19 markers through 18 attacks, while Galanza backed her up with 12 markers. The Air Force were led by Joy Cases with 12 points.
Air Force revelation Dell Palomata missed the game due to personal reasons said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez.
With the win, the Power Smashers now own a 2-2 win-loss slate, while Air Force went down 2-1.
Both teams will see action on Wednesday, June 18, also at the same venue. Team Laoag will face BaliPure at 4:00pm, while the Air Force will have National University Lady Bulldogs as their opponents at 6:30pm.
The Scores:
Laoag City (3) – Prado 19, Galanza 12, Villegas 9, Paat 7, Eulalio 6, Saet 3, Sante 0, Tan 0, Emnas 0, Sta. Rita 0, Galang (L), Gillego (L)
Air Force (0) – Cases 12, Pantino 8, Tapic 7, Caballejo 7, Semana 2, Antipuesto 1, Yongco 0, Crisostomo (L), Balmaceda (L)
