No import, no problem: Air Force nips reinforced Pocari

Pocari Sweat’s Breanne Mackie hammers in a kill against Air Force’s Judy Ann Caballejo during their Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference clash at the Philsports Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Philippine Air Force didn’t find the need for reinforcement as its all-Filipino crew was enough to beat import-laden Pocari Sweat, 25-20, 22-25, 25-7, 22-25, 15-12, Wednesday night in the Shakey’s V League Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena.

Through sheer hardwork and patience, the Jet Spikers methodically cut down the Lady Warriors who failed to get the needed help from imports Andrea Kacsits and Breanna Mackie.

It was big morale win for PAF which lost in the opening game against University of Santo Tomas but, more importantly, avenged its defeat at the hands of Pocari in last July’s Open Conference final.

PAF coach Jasper Jimenez said they were challenged by the fact that they would face an import-powered Pocari and he was happy the Jet Spikers rose to the occasion.

In fact, the Jet Spikers were dominating in the several junctures especially in the third set when they led 8-0 to eventually close at 25-7.

The Lady Warriors tried to come back by winning the fourth and taking an 11-9 lead in the fifth. But Wendy Semana, Joy Cases and May Pantino buckled down to work.

After a long exchange, Semana, a veteran but undersized spiker, fired an underhand that dropped to the unguarded backcourt for 11-all, spacing PAF’s finishing kick.