Air Force vs Iriga in Shakey’s V-League. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Philippine Air Force showed its muscle and leveled an upset-seeking Iriga City, 25-23, 25-17, 25-18, Wednesday at San Juan Arena to lay claim to one of the semifinal spots of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.
An error on the part of the Lady Uragons allowed the Jet Spikers to hike their record 5-1, trailing only unbeaten Pocari Sweat in the standings.
Despite having a similar win-loss record with Bali Pure, the Jet Spikers hold a slim advantage in the standings by virtue of winning matches by fewer sets.
PAF played a total of 21 sets while Bali Pure featured in 24.
Jet Spikers head coach Jasper Jimenez said complacency crept into the heads of his players and the Lady Uragons took advantage of it in the first set to tie it at 23-23 after trailing by six points.
“Kami pa nga ang nag service error tapos sumunod receive error kaya dumikit,” said Jimenez. “Siguro overconfidence kasi pag may kalaban na unexpected bumababa laro namin. Sumasabay kami.”
Jimenez then tweaked his lineup and fielded in Iari Yongco and Jennifer Manzano, both of whom did not start, to bring stability to the fold.
“Pinagbigyan ko mga second stringer para magka kumpyansa naman.”
Judy Ann Caballejo, who only played in two sets, led PAF with 14 points while Jocemer Tapic added 10 points.
Shola Alvarez led the 1-6 Lady Uragons with 10 points.
PAF lived up to its name and unloaded 39 points off spikes to the downtrodden Iriga City.