Super Liga: RC Cola-Air Force stops PLDT run

MANILA, Philippines — Judy Caballejo took charge as the RC Cola-Air Force Raiders overpowered the PLDT Home Tvolution Power Attackers in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18, to grab a share of the lead in the 2014 Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference Sunday at Cuneta Astrodome.

Caballejo fired 16 points, including 13 kills and two service aces, to lift the Raiders to a share of the early lead at 2-0 with idle AirAsia and Petron in the women’s volleyball club tournament.

“We made sure that we have good counterattacks,” said RC Cola-Air Force coach Clarence Esteban. Maika Ortiz and Joy Cases added 11 points each for the Raiders, who spoiled the Power Attackers’ bid to stretch their winning streak to three.

The Raiders controlled virtually the entire match, with Caballejo’s service ace giving them a huge 10-4 advantage in the third set. Although the Power Attackers rallied to tie it at 13 with Soriano’s down-the-line hit, the Raiders halted the surge and pulled ahead by six, 22-16.

“We prepared hard for this game,” said Esteban. “We studied their weaknesses and tendencies.”

Charo Soriano had 11 markers to pace the Power Attackers, who fell to 2-2. In the second game, Cagayan Valley arrested a three-game losing skid with a 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17 upset of two-time champion Generika-Philippine Army.

Janine Marciano had 16 attacks and four blocks for a 20-point total for the Risings Suns. Ralph Joshua Hernandez and Michael Carlo Rodolfo, Contributors