PHILIPPINE Air Force drew first blood in the Spikers Turf finals, downing defending champion Cignal, 25-23, 25-19, 19-25, 25-27, 15-12, on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Jet Spikers are one win away from avenging their loss to the HD Spikers in last year's edition.
The second match of the best-of-three finals is set on Saturday.
Bryan Bagunas led the way for the Jet Spikers with 24 points, while Mark Alfafara added 16, Reyson Fuentes chipped in 15 and Howard Mojica scored 12.
"Cignal din naman 'yan, malakas na kalaban din 'yan, sabi ko nga konting twist of fate lang lalaban at lalaban 'yan," said Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo.
Cignal rose from two sets down behind the heroics of Lorenzo Capate Jr. and Ysay Marasigan but could not complete the comeback.
"Kami naman ginawa rin naman na kailangan silang mapigilan kaso magaling ang Cignal, eh. Siyempre ang galing din ng strategies nila kung ano ang gagawin ang ganda ng ikot nila ng tao at 'yun ang hindi namin nabasa," said Verayo.
Capate scored 20 for Cignal, Marasigan finished with 15 and Edmar Bonono chipped in 13.
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