PLDT shakes off pesky Air Force, claims match in 3 sets
MANILA, Philippines — Fending off a pesky aerial assault, the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters went on full throttle to ground the Philippine Air Force Air Women in three sets, 25-15, 26-24, 25-22 at the Arena in San Juan Thursday afternoon.
Laurence Ann Latigay fired of a lob just over the Air Force defense to seal the match, and a temporary first place seed in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference with a 6-1 card as of posting time.
A straight set finish for PLDT looked bleak when Air Force went on a 7-2 spree to notch the third set scoreboard at 10-8 with Judy Ann Caballejo tapping the ball to the Turbo Booster side.
Ryzabelle Devanadera tied things up for PLDT 10-10 but the two teams went back-and-forth until Gretchel Soltones gave her team the lead for good at 20-16 scoring off the Air Force block.
PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb said it all came down to who wanted it more.
“Both teams just wanted to win, Air Force wanted to win, but we wanted it more,” Gorayeb said.
Gorayeb missed the services of key attackers Dindin Santiago, Carmina Aganon, Royce Estampa, and Abi Maraño.
“We’re just concentrating on who we have right now, if they show up, practice then good,” Gorayeb said.
Soltones paced PLDT with 19 points while captain Suzanne Roces and Latigay had 15 and 14 respectively.
Maika Ortiz led Air Force with 13 while Joy Cases had 11.
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