AIR Force added more frustration on also-ran Choco Mucho, 20-25, 25-18, 29-27, 26-24, to keep its semifinals hopes alive in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Before the match started the Flying Titans already bombed out of contention as Motolite became the fourth team to have at least nine wins but the Lady Jet Spikers rubbed salt in their opponents wound, completing a conference sweep on the newcomers of the league.
Dell Palomata showed the way for Air Force with 10 attacks, four blocks and an ace for 15 points. Joy Cases nailed 14 kills for 15 points laced with 13 excellent receptions. Judy Caballejo had 11 points, while May Ann Pantino and Angel Antipuesto added nine markers each.
“Must-win talagang kailangang kapitan yun. Tumaas din ang kompiyansa namin kasi nanalo kami sa AFP Olympics sa Army sabi ko, ‘dala-dala ‘to,’” said Air Force head coach Jasper Jimenez.
Air Force tightened its hold of the No. 6 spot with 6-7 win-loss record but can’t afford to lose its remaining matches to remain in the semis hunt.
The Lady Jet Spikers prevented the Flying Titans from forcing a fifth set as they erased a 17-20 fourth set deficit with a 6-1 rally capped by Pantino’s back-to-back kills for a 23-21 lead and held the match point, 24-23, before Manilla Santos-Ng’s attack saved a point.
But Palomata and Caballejo closed out the match as Choco Mucho dropped its third straight game with a 6-9 record.
Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag lifted the Flying Titans with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Bea De Leon played her first full game with 11 points, while Santos-Ng added nine markers only for her best game to be spoiled with a loss.
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