RC Cola-Air Force bounced right back from its first loss, sending newcomer AirAsia to its second straight defeat, 25-17, 25-18, 25-15, on Wednesday in the Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Judy Ann Caballejo and Joy Cases combined for 29 points as the Raiders scored their fourth win in five matches, the erstwhile leaders getting back on track after their stunning 22-25, 13-25, 24-26 loss to Petron (3-0) on Sunday.
“Sobrang bigat ng feeling ng mga players after ng talo, pero ’di ko na inulit-ulit na talo kami,” said RC Cola coach Clarence Esteban.
“Kinausap ko na lang sila na, o, finished na ’to ’wag na tayo magsisihan, palipasin na natin. Kahit naman mag-iyakan tayo wala na mangyayari, magstart na lang tayo na mag-aim ulit ng panalo para mabalik ang morale.’”
“After ng talo namin, ang sabi ko sa kanila kailangan every game isipin niyo na championship game,” he added.
The Raiders responded to Esteban's call as they took only one hour and 18 minutes to finish the match, with all but one player fielded in the game scoring at least a point.
Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan came up with five of RC Cola's eight service aces as AirAsia was zero from the service line.
“'Yung mga players nag-aim na ilalaro nila ang best nila, kasi last time off talaga sila," said Esteban.
Team captain Cha Cruz and Paneng Mercado scored eight points apiece for the Flying Spikers, now with a 2-2 card after starting the tournament with two straight wins.
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