POWER hitter Judy Caballejo took over when it mattered most to power Air Force past Laoag, 25-20, 26-24, 26-24, and move a win shy of clinching a finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Caballejo unleashed booming spikes in the third set, including one that pushed Air Force to a 25-24 lead, and drilled a service ace as the Jet Spikers made their rivals weep in the second set.
The third set also went close from the onset and with the score tied at 24-24, the former University of Santo Tomas star Caballejo came through with an off-the-block hit then unloaded another ace to seal the victory that gave Air Force the headstart in their best-of-three semifinals series of the season-opening conference sponsored by Shakey’s.
“She just took over in crucial situations for us,” said Air Force coach Jeffrey Jimenez of his top hitter.
Veteran Joy Cases provided a solid backup for Caballejo, firing 15 hits, including 14 on kills, while the other Jet Spikers backed them up with gritty floor and net defense to avenge a similar straight-set loss to the Power Smashers in the eliminations two weeks ago.
Jocemer Tapic and May Pantino added 13 and 10 points, respectively, while skipper Wendy Semana paced Air Force with 36 excellent sets.
Adamson University’s Jema Galanza and Mylene Paat along with Arellano University standout Jovielyn Prado combined for 36 points for Laoag.
In the Spikers’ Turf Season Two Open Conference also on Wednesday, Cignal and Air Force pulled off a pair of cliffhangers to inch closer to a title clash.
The HD Spikers overcame the Sta. Elena Construction side, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24, while the Jet Spikers outlasted the Instituto Estetico Manila Phoenix Volley Masters, 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.
La Salle standout Raymark Woo unleashed a 22-point effort to help Cignal extend its unbeaten streak to six.
“We knew all along he will be an important part of our team and today (yesterday) he proved us correct,” said Cignal coach Michael Carino of the power-spiking Woo, the best scorer in last year’s UAAP.
Air Force, for its part, drew strength from the duo of Ismail Fauzi and Rodolfo Labrador, who combined for 32 hits.
Game Two of both the Spikers’ Turf and V-League semis are set on Saturday, also at The Arena, while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, will be played Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Image credits: Alysa Salen