Raiders too much for Power Attackers

MANILA, Philippines -- RC Cola-Air Force displayed its deadly form to make short work of PLDT Home TVolution, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18, in the 2014 PLDT Home DSL-Philippine Super Liga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference volleyball tournament Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

With Judy Ann Caballero doing damage, the Raiders dominated the Power Attackers from start to finish to seal their second straight victory in the women's division of this premiere club tournament supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical.

A prized recruit from University of Santo Tomas, Caballero fired 13 kills and two aces for a game-high 16 points to tow the Raiders on top of the team standings together with idle AirAsia and Petron in this competition organized by Sports Core with Solar Sports as official broadcast partner.

Maika Ortiz and Joy Cases backed Caballero on the firing end with 11 points apiece.

"We prepared hard for this game," said RC Cola-Air Force coach Clarence Esteban. "We carefully studied their weaknesses and tendencies. We paralyzed their offense with our blocking. We also forced them to hit cross-court shots to make it easier for us to set up our offense."

The Raiders' preparation paid handsome dividends as the Power Attackers looked too slow and a bit sluggish on the offensive end while Caballero, Ortiz and Cases took advantage of their lousy defense.
PLDT Home TVolution showed signs of life in the second set when it took a 22-17 advantage behind the hot smashes of Charo Soriano. But Caballero and Davaoena spiker Jocemer Tapic joined forces to restore order and claim the second-set victory, 25-23.

"We made sure that we have good counter-attacks," added Esteban. "I told the girls that we should come out stronger every time PLDT scores."

Soriano tallied 11 points for the Power Attackers, who hardly felt the presence of skipper Sue Roces, Louann Latigay and Maru Banaticla all game long, no thanks to the smothering defense thrown by the Raiders.

PLDT Home TVolution fell to fourth place with a 2-2 win-loss slate.