Airmen seek No. 3 vs Sailors

Games today

 (The Arena, San Juan)

3 p.m. – Navy vs Air Force

5 p.m. – PLDT vs IEM

MANILA, Philippines – Air Force tries to make it three in row as it clashes with Navy in a duel of unbeaten teams as action in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1 Reinforced Conference resumes today at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Airmen posted a pair of 3-1 victories over Instituto Estetico Manila and Cignal to seize the early lead in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera. But they are in for a tough challenge against the Sailors, who are seeking a follow-up to their 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Sta. Elena Construction last Oct. 10.

Gametime is at 3 p.m. with the Airmen seeking at least a playoff for the last semifinal berth in the season-ending tournament of the country’s premier men’s volley league backed by Mikasa.

Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo will again lean on his hard-hitting foursome of Rodolfo Labrador, Reyson Fuentes, Ruben Inaudito and Jeffrey Malabanan, who combined for 52 hits against the Cignal HD Spikers.

But the Sailors, who scheduled match with the IEM side last week was cancelled due to Typhoon Lando, also boast of a slew of talented hitters, including Jayson Sapida, Razzel Palisoc, Chris Senisan, Nur Amin Madsari and playmaker Paul Junio.

PLDT Home Ultera sets out to check an early skid as it tangles with IEM at 5 p.m., hoping to get back into the groove after back-to-back setbacks to Cignal and Sta. Elena.

Another loss would send them to the brink in the single round elims among six teams.

PLDT mentor Odjie Mamon hopes to come up with the needed adjustment coming off a long break although he is still expected to pin his hopes on Mark Alfafara, Paul Torres, Jay Galang, Peter Torres and Kheeno Franco with setter Vincent Mangulabnan out to atone for his so-so showing against Sta. Elena where he was outplayed by counterpart Angelo Macalma, who produced 49 excellent sets against the PLDT ace’s 37.

But IEM is also raring to rebound from a loss and wheel back into semis contention behind Karl Ian dela Calzada, Rudy Gatdula, Michael Zamora, Eden Canlas, Jeffrey Jimenez and Salvador Timbal and playmaker Renz Ordo-ez.