MANILA, Philippines - Air Force tries to keep its winning ways coming off a long layoff as it shoots for the first semifinal berth against Sta. Elena at resumption of the Spikers’ Turf Season I Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City today.
The Airmen dominated the Navy Sailors in three to post their third straight victory last Oct. 25 before the league, presented by PLDT Home Ultera, took a nine-day break. But coach Rhovyl Verayo remains confident of his wards’ chances against the Wrecking Balls in the 1 p.m. match kicking off a heavy three-game bill.
“Our teamwork has been helping us a lot and if we continue playing the way we do, we’ll have a chance,” said Verayo.
Navy, meanwhile, seeks to bounce back against a struggling PLDT Home Ultera side at 3 p.m. while Cignal aims to firm up its hold of second spot as it tangles with Instituo Estetico Manila in the 5 p.m. main dish.
The Cignal HD Spikers stay just behind the Airmen with a 2-1 card while the Sailors dropped to third at 1-1 and the Wrecking Balls and the PLDT Ultra Fast Hitters are in joint fourth at 1-2. The IEM Volley Masters dropped their first two matches.
But expect Sta. Elena, PLDT and IEM to pour it all out in pursuit of a win that would keep them in the semis race in the season-ending tournament of the league backed by Mikasa.
The top four teams after the single round elims will advance to the crossover semis with Air Force gaining the inside track on the No. 1 spot with an impressive start.
Verayo will again pin his hopes on Reyson Fuentes, Rodolfo Labrador, Jeffry Malabanan, Ruben Inaudito, Alnakran Abdilla and playmaker Jessie Lopez, who leads the field with 10.38 successful sets per frame.