JUDY Ann Caballejo led the way anew as Air Force clobbered Iriga, 25-23, 25-17, 25-18, on Wednesday to seal a place in the semifinals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Caballejo scored 14 and Jocemer Tapic had 10 points as the Jet Spikers scored their fifth win in six outings for a share of the second spot with Bali Pure, behind undefeated Pocari Sweat (5-0).
The Jet Spikers are now without 6-foot-2 Dell Palomata, who has started classes at University of St. La Salle in Bacolod and is likely to miss the remainder of the tournament.
“Kailangan pa mag-step up kasi kung ganoon ang nilalaro namin siguro ’yung ine-aim namin na champion hindi namin makukuha,” said coach Jasper Jimenez, noting that the Jet Spikers didn’t start as well as he wanted.
The Jet Spikers allowed the Lady Oragons to take a 23-22 lead in the opening set but Shyrra Cabriana committed a service error and Air Force sealed the win with back-to-back service aces.
“Siguro kumpyansa kasi kami pa nag-service error at saka receive error kaya dumikit, ayun siguro over confidence,” he said.
“Kasi sa tuwing may kalaban kaming ganoon na unexpected bumababa din ang laro nila, sumasabay, pero sana nga sa susunod ma-overcome namin,” he added.
Air Force will face Pocari Sweat on Monday at the Philsports Arena.
Shola Alvarez scored 10 points for Iriga, which has lost six straight after winning its opening match.
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