Air Force nips Sta. Elena, enters Spikers' Turf semis

Games Saturday

(The Arena, San Juan)

3 p.m.- IEM vs Sta. Elena

5 p.m.- Cignal vs Navy

MANILA, Philippines – Air Force overpowered Sta. Elena with its attacking game and hammered out a 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 victory on Wednesday to barge into the semifinals of the Spikers' Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference presented by PLDT Home Ultera at The Arena in San Juan City.

Ruben Inaudito led the way with 14 hits, including 11 on kills while Reyson Fuentes scattered 11, nine of which came on attacks and the other two on blocks, as the Air Spikers soared to their fourth straight triumph.

The power-hitting Roldolfo Labrador, the league's leading scorer, and Jeffrey Malabanan each contributed nine apiece to underscore Air Force's outstanding attacking style of play.

"We were more aggressive on our attacking game, it put them off balance," said Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo.

The Air Spikers go for an elimination round sweep as they tackle the PLDT Home Ultera Ultrafast Spikers on Sunday.

The Active Smashers, who were led by Joven Camaganakan's 11 points, fell to their third defeat against a win.

Sta. Elena actually stared Air Force eye to eye in all three sets but just couldn't sustain their form and fizzled out in the end in all three.

Air Force is eyeing to surpass its semifinal finish in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference last May.