RC-Air Force strafes PLDT TVolution

MANILA, Philippines - RC Cola-Air Force imposed its strength over PLDT Home TVolution and came away with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 victory for its second straight win in the 2014 PLDT Home DSL-Philippine Super Liga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference volleyball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Judy Ann Caballero fired 13 kills for a 16-point performance while Maika Ortiz and Joy Cases chipped in 11 markers each as the Raiders dominated the Power Attackers from start to finish to join AirAsia and Petron on top of women’s play.

“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 loose defense. 

PLDT Home TVolution actually bounced back in second set and even took a 22-17 lead behind Charo Soriano. But Caballero and Davaoeña spiker Jocemer Tapic combined as the Raiders took eight of the last nine points to clinch the win.

“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, all shackled by the Raiders’ tough defense upfront.

PLDT Home TVolution fell to fourth with a 2-2 card in the event supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical and organized by Sports Core with Solar Sports as official broadcast partner.