MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Army sneaked past a tough Air Force side, 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 19-25, 15-13, Sunday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference at the Arena in San Juan.
The Army Women came within a set of wrapping the game up early, but it proved to be far from over as pesky Air Women forged a decider and even tied the game in fifth set at 13.
Veteran volleybelle Mary Jean Basle, though, came through and put Army at match point before an error from Air Force ended the game.
Balse had 24 points, including three service aces for the Army Women, which strengthened their bid to 9-1 in the quarterfinal stage.
Jovelyn Gonzaga added 17 points while Rachel Anne Daquis had 14.
Judy Ann Caballejo had a game-high 29 markers, three each from blocks and aces, for the Air Women, which kept the fourth place at 5-5 despite another loss.