V-League semifinals too close to call

Bali Pure celebrates a point in a Shakey’s V-League game. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

PHILIPPINE Air Force may be the fancied team after snatching the No. 1 spot on the last day of eliminations, but Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez doesn’t see it that way.

The Jet Spikers clash with Team Laoag—the only team that dealt them their lone defeat so far—at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference semifinals Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Although ranked No. 4, the Power Smashers stunned the Jet Spikers in straight sets, 25-14, 25-23, 25-23.

“We’re going to use that [loss] as motivation when we play them in the semifinals,” said Jimenez.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series is set at 4 p.m.

Pocari Sweat, which Air Force unseated from the top spot, takes on third-seeded Bali Pure in the other Final Four duel at 6:30 p.m.

Bannered by veterans Michelle Gumabao and Myla Pablo, the Lady Warriors’ bid for perfection got spoiled when the Jet Spikers pulled off a 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 upset on Monday night.

The Jet Spikers secured top spot with better tiebreak points and hope to carry that confidence against the Power Smashers.

The Lady Warriors battle a fellow powerhouse as collegiate MVPs Alyssa Valdez and Gretchel Soltones lead the Water Defenders.

Earlier, unbeaten Cignal tangles with Sta. Elena in Game 1 of the men’s semifinals at 10 a.m. in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

No. 2 Air Force collides with Instituto Estetico Manila in the other semifinal pairing at 1 p.m.