Air Force, Pocari open Shakey’s V-League title tiff

TWO TEAMS that took different paths to the Finals collide as the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference championship series fires off Wednesday night.

Early favorite Pocari Sweat takes on a Philippine Air Force side that flew under the radar in a best-of-three duel.

“I still believe we’re the underdogs,” said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez. “[The Lady Warriors] have star players and they’re more intact and experienced than us.”

Game 1 gets going at 6 p.m. at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Finding reliables in Judy Ann Caballejo and Joy Cases, the Jet Spikers reached the Finals for the first time to surpass their best finish at fourth place in 2014.

The Lady Warriors also secured a title berth on their maiden run, but had been contenders in other commercial leagues with a talented cast headlined by Michele Gumabao, Elaine Kasilag and Myla Pablo.

In men’s action, Air Force tries to complete a championship upset of top-seeded Cignal in Game 2 of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Open Conference Finals at 2 p.m.