PHILIPPINE Air Force turned back National University, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, on Tuesday to end the elimination round on a winning note in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Joy Cases came up with 11 points, while Maika Ortiz and May Pantino added nine markers apiece for the Air Women, who finished the first round in fourth spot with a 4-3 win-loss card.
The Air Women capitalized on NU’s 27 errors.
Air Force fell behind 18-21 in the third set but got four points form NU's miscues and scored two straight to move to match point, 24-21.
Ortiz’s service error gave hope to the Lady Bulldogs, but Cases sealed the win with a hit.
Air Force is coming off a heartbreaking finals loss to Generika-Army in the Philippine Super Liga, but coach Clarence Esteban reminded the Air Women to refocus and remember that the match is important because the record in the V-League eliminations will be carried over to the quarterfinals.
Jaja Santiago had 14 points and Rizza Mandapat added 13 for the Lady Bulldogs, in fifth spot with a 3-4 card.
Air Force and NU have earlier secured spots to the six-team quarterfinals along with PLDT (6-1), Army (5-1), and Cagayan (5-1) with several matches to spare as the two other teams, UP and PNP bowed out of the quarterfinal race early.