Army downs Air Force, nears V-League finals

Games Sunday

(The Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m. – Cagayan vs PLDT

4 p.m. – Army vs Air Force

MANILA, Philippines – Ginie Sabas and Joanne Bunag filled the void left by an off-form Rachel Daquis as Army turned back Air Force to move one win away from barging into the finals of the Shakey's V-League Season 11 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday.

Sabas, a prize find from Cebu, drilled in 14 hits, including 12 on kills while Bunag, who played college ball for Far Eastern U, scattered 10 to provide the firepower that usually power-hitting Daquis could not.

Daquis appeared tired and spent in her minimal minutes she was in the game in the first and second sets where she managed to score just four hits, forcing the hand of Army coach Rico de Guzman to dig deep from his bench.

Good thing Sabas and Bunag and showed up.

"She looked tired so I just rested her," said de Guzman of Daquis in Filipino. "I'm just happy someone from the bench stepped up."

Jovelyn Gonzaga, the reigning league MVP, spearheaded the Lady Troopers' attack with 18 hits, 16 of which came on spikes, while Mary Jane Balse and Nerissa Bautista chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.

The Air Spikers, the last to make it to the Final Four of this tournament sponsored by Shakey's Pizza after downing Alyssa Valdez and the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, in a knockout duel Tuesday, pounced on Daquis' poor play early and snatched the opening set, 26-24.

Army though adjusted and sent in Bunag to help Sabas cover up for Daquis that worked wonders as it took the last three sets to secure the win and a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three duel.

Judy Caballejo, May Ann Pantino and Maika Ortiz led the Air Spikers with 16, 15 and 11, respectively.