Air Force leaned on a strong last two sets as it turned back Pocari Sweat, 17-25, 25-20, 15-25, 26-24, 15-11,
late Wednesday night to move a win away from clinching the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference title at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 11-3, in the fourth set, the Lady Jet Spikers slowly recovered from their series of errors, including five service miscues, on the way to dominating the fifth frame to take Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series.
Another win for Air Force on Saturday would gain them their first title and earn them a share of the podium with their male counterparts, who ruled the Spikers’ Turf.
In the other game, Janine Marciano waxed hot with 25 points as BaliPure edged Laoag, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 15-11, to draw first blood in their best-of-three battle for third place.
Marciano, a product of San Beda, highlighted her impressive performance with 23 attacks as the Water Defenders leaned on their superb offense to outlast the Power Smashers.
May Ann Pantino led Air Force with 17 points including three aces, while Joy Cases and Jocemer Tapic added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Air Force’s win overshadowed the efforts of Michele Gumabao and Myla Pablo for Pocari, who finished with 22 and 18 points, respectively.