Games Tomorrow (Philsports Arena, Pasig City)
10:30 a.m. – Champion vs Cignal
12:30 p.m. – IEM vs Air Force
Top seed Air Force regained its usual fiery momentum and downed Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, yesterday to move a win away from a championship berth in the 2016 Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Still reeling from a stunning four-set loss to Champion Supra at the end of eliminations last Thursday, the Jet Spikers quickly bounced back with Howard Mojica leading the charge in their best-of-three semifinal showdown.
Mojica, a former NCAA Most Valuable Player, pumped in 20 kills to finish with 21 points, even as Bryan Bagunas whipped in 15 of his 16 points in attacks to fuel Air Force in its bid to eclipse its runner-up finish last year.
Inaugural champion IEM relied on its middle attacks to pounce on Air Force, but struggled with its net defense as it managed only one block out of 52 attempts.
Air Force took the advantage and attacked IEM at all angles, finishing with 62 team kills.
Khenno Franco and JP Torres led the Phoenix Volley Masters with 19 and 10 points each, but their efforts weren’t enough to subdue the Jet Spikers.
Game 2 is set tomorrow with Air Force seeking a return trip to the finals. (Kristel Satumbaga)
