Jet Spikers foil Lady Maroons, share V-L lead

Games tomorrow 4 p.m. – BaliPure vs Iriga 6:30 p.m. – UP vs Baguio

Air Force pounced on University of the Philippines’ late opening set meltdown then dominated the next two to fashion out a 27-25, 25-19, 25-17, victory yesterday and seize a share of the lead with Pocari Sweat in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Jet Spikers rallied from four points down and fought off three set points to frustrate the Lady Maroons and snatch the first set before dominating the next two.

Jocemar Tapic and Judy Ann Caballejo took turns in Air Force’s attack and finished with 15 and 14 hits, respectively, while Dell Palomata added 10 points to help the Jet Spikers notch their third straight win to re-join the Pocari Lady Warriors in the lead in the early going of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

“I have to commend my players for showing composure in the first set, they just didn’t give up,” said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez.

Air Force started out strong but wavered midway through the first set and even trailed, 1923, in the face of UP’s solid blocking anchored on former UAAP best blocker Kat Bersola.

But the Lady Jet Spikers scored four straight points to close in at 22-23 before Isa Molde unloaded a crisp kill to give the Lady Maroons a 24-22 edge.

Gretchel Soltones marked her return with a solid outing, pumping in a couple of stinging spikes to lift BaliPure to a thrilling 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13 victory over National University in the other game.

Soltones, who just arrived from a European trip where she joined teammate Alyssa Valdez in exhibition games and a training camp, finished with 23 hits, including 22 attack points, the last two shattering the 13-all count and powering the Water Defenders to the victory that atoned for their four-set setback to the unbeaten Jet Spikers which she missed last week.

Amy Ahomiro backed Soltones with 14 points while Janine Marciano, Dzi Gervacio, Ella de Jesus and May Tajima combined for 20 hits.

The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 1-2.