AIR FORCE and Cignal lived another day by leveling their respective semifinals series in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference Men’s division on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The defending champion Jet Spikers downed the Army Troopers, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20, while the HD Spikers defeated the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, to force a deciding Game Three in the race-to-two series.
Cignal’s open spiker Lorenzo Capate, who was limited to five points in Game One, bounced back with 15 points, nine attacks, four blocks, and a two aces to lead his team’s vengeful victory.
Mark Alfafara and skipper Ysay Marasigan had nine hits each, while setter Vince Mangulabnan made 32 excellent sets for Cignal
“I told my players to keep believing,” Cignal Head Coach Oliver Almadro said. “It’s not about the skills, it’s about the mind set. Our mind set was when we go inside the court, we will show our worth. My players are prepared for today physically, emotionally and mentally. That gave us the edge.”
Air Force, meanwhile, drew big games from its stars from National University—Fauzi Ismail and Bryan Bagunas.
Ismail scattered nine spikes with two blocks and as many aces for 13 points and five digs, while Bagunas delivered 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.
Edwin Tolentino and skipper Jeffrey Malabanan added nine and seven points, respectively, for Air Force, while setter Jessie Lopez dished out 28 excellent sets.
The knockout games are set on Thursday.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza