SuperLiga Quaterfinals: PLDT, AirAsia advance

MANILA, Philippines – In the quarterfinals of the 2014 Philippine SuperLiga All-Filipino Conference playoffs, the PLDT Home TVolution Power Attackers took down the Petron Blaze Spikers while the AirAsia Flying Spikers pulled off a comeback to eliminate the Cagayan Province Lady Rising Suns.

Both teams now move on to the semis, where powerhouses Generika-Army Lady Troopers and RC Cola-AirForce Raiders await.

Latigay, Roces lead PLDT past Petron in 4 sets

A few weeks ago, the Petron Blaze Spikers were atop the PSL standings at 3-0, led by a rookie sensation in Dindin Santiago, who showed no signs of stopping her powerful tear in the All-Filipino Conference.

Sunday, July 13, Petron’s conference came to an abrupt end, falling at the mercy of the PLDT Power Attackers, 16-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Lou Ann Latigay spearheaded PLDT with 18 markers while Sue Roces contributed 14, as PLDT buckled a slow start to win three sets and take down the Santiago-led Blaze Spikers for good.

The talented rookie had another impressive outing, scoring 28 markers – 23 on spikes, four on blocks, and a service ace – while Mina Aganon and Jozza Cabalsa combined for 22.

In the fourth set, both clubs exchanged points and aces, unwilling to give in. However, it was PLDT who went on a rally to bank on a two-point lead, 24-22, before an error on, ironically, Santiago sealed the loss for her team.

Errors proved to be the undoing for Petron, which totaled 34 for the game.

PLDT looks to make its first appearance in SuperLiga finals history by beating RC Cola-AirForce (4-2) on Sunday, July 20, at 3PM at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Leaning on Santiago’s hot start, Petron raced off to a 1-0 set lead by virtue of a 25-16 victory, in which the Blaze Spikers racked up consecutive conversions through block points.

The losing side finished with 15 total block scores for the afternoon, compared to just 3 by PLDT.

A mini run by Roces played a critical role in set two, as the Power Attackers took a 19-17 edge. In the following possessions, three errors by Petron cost them and guided its opponents to tying the contest.

Latigay and Roces were key in the start of the third set, helping PLDT build an 8-3 edge which they would not surrender for the remainder of the period.

AirAsia completes epic comeback over Cagayan Valley

They no longer wear green, nor are they anymore called the Lady Spikers. But after Sunday’s, July 14, action, Coach Ramil De Jesus’ AirAsia Flying Spikers found themselves in a situation where his DLSU volleyball teams always were: in the final four.

After dropping the first two sets, AirAsia completed a memorable comeback over the veteran-laden Cagayan Province Lady Spikers, winning the quarterfinals match, 16-25, 16-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-13, at the Cuneta Astrodome to book a date with defending champions Generika-Army Lady Troopers in the semis.

Stephanie Mercado spearheaded the winning side with 22 points while Aby Marano finished with 17. Cha Cruz and Micmic Laborte pitched in as well, combining for 27 markers.

Aiza Maizo guided Cagayan Province with 23 points, and played a major role in ensuring her team’s first set victory.

In the second set, the Lady Rising Suns continued to amp up the pressure, taking advantage of AirAsia’s miscues and leaning on the play of Maizo, and Angeli Tabaquero, who finished with 13 markers.

The Flying Spikers trailed early in the third set as well, but relied on the play of Laborte and Meracdo to fight their way back and take an 11-10 lead. It would be all AirAsia from there on after, as an ace by the latter made the game’s score 2-1.

After riding their momentum en route to a fourth set victory, De Jesus’ girls were able to build a comfortable threshold towards the end of the final set, going ahead 14-10. However, led by Maizo, Cagayan Valley didn’t surrender and got within one moments later.

The match finally came to a close courtesy of Michele Gumabao, whose spike down the middle made it just inside for the final blow.

The Flying Spikers will try to make it to the finals in their conference debut by taking down the reigning title-holders on Wednesday, July 16.

The last time both clubs went head to head, it was Army who prevailed in four sets. – Rappler.com