Shakey’s V-League Open Sudden-Death Playoff: Air Force ousts Ateneo, advances to semis

TEAM STANDINGS (after quarterfinal round):

(#1) Philippine Army 7-3*

(#2) PLDT Home Telpad 6-3*

(#3) Cagayan Valley 5-5**

(#4) Philippine Air Force 5-5***

Ateneo de Manila University 5-5

National University 2-8†

*Semifinalists

**Advances to semis to due superior quotient

***Won playoff to get fourth semis berth

†Eliminated

SEMIFINALS MATCHES ON THURSDAY (August 21st at The Arena, San Juan City)

2:00PM – (#1) Philippine Army vs. (#4) Philippine Air Force

4:00PM – (#2) PLDT Home Telpad vs. (#3) Cagayan Valley

THE ARENA, San Juan City—Philippine Air Force (PAF) Head Coach Clarence “Aying” Esteban pulled the biggest rabbit out his proverbial hat by starting a three-game bench warmer who made all the difference as the Air Spikers withstood the gutsy effort of reigning UAAP queens the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 to catch the last bus to the Final Four in the lone playoff encounter in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Open Conference here.

Esteban, who had been utilizing a steady set of starters, called on former PAF skipper Liza de Ramos to start in place of former Davao Lady Agilas star Neneng Tapic in a move that caught many aficionados by surprise. De Ramos had not even seen any floor time over the last three matches and Tapic was coming off one of her best all-around showings in their quarterfinals loss to defending champions Cagayan Valley that the move was a virtual head-scratcher.

One observer even noted, “…Air Force has to fight youth with youth and this move looks desperate…”

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However, the former Letran stalwart proved to be the X-Factor for the Air Spikers as she shadowed league scoring leader Alyssa Valdez; forcing the Ateneo captain into uncharacteristically low percentage shot selections while contributing on offense and setting the tempo for PAF in the opening set. For every positive result the Air Spikers achieved, de Ramos amplified it with an unabashed fist pump or a shriek of approval as her younger teammates responded to the good vibe she went out and set.

For the Lady Eagles, bad news came down on them like the dark gray skies that eventually turned into precipitation on the SJA as Valdez arrived with severe nasal congestion, a fever and a spirit that was being troubled by her physical condition.

The 21-year-old “Phenom” from Batangas was even seen in tears at their bench, being consoled by injured teammate Ella de Jesus during warm-ups and was obviously struggling to stay upbeat despite her flu-like symptoms.

From the onset, it already became quite evident that Valdez was not going perform optimally, committing a series of hitting errors and was a tad late defensively. Libero Den-Den Lazaro had to double her efforts to keep the aggressive attacks from the Air Spikers at bay, while the young core of Jia Morado, Michelle Morente and Kim Gequillana did their best to produce. But with Ateneo committing thirteen unforced errors in the first set en route to a 20-25 loss, the uphill climb became more atrocious for the hard-fighting Katipuneras.

Ateneo addressed the errors issue in the second set, but that’s when the Air Force defense became a major factor. De Ramos once again led the stoppages as PAF scored four block points, mostly against the Lady Eagles’ quickers as Amy Ahomiro and freshman Maddie Madayag were denied point-blank opportunities. Valdez started become more involved in the offense, but a few late game breaks allowed the Air Spikers to inch away in the twilight of the second set.

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The third set saw more long rallies occur as both teams competed at the highest level—Air Force wanting to snare the victory at once, Ateneo fighting for survival.

With the score tied at 22-all, a long rally ensued and there was a moment when the ball seemed to hit the antennae coming off an Air Force attack. No whistle was blown and the Lady Eagles protested while playing on. Eventually, PAF winger May Ann Pantino scored on a spike and the entire team nearly stormed the court. Valdez was almost tearful as she pled and Ateneo Head Coach Anusorn “Tai” Bundit was up in arms. When it was determined the call would stand, Lazaro erupted with a disgusted scream and hit the net violently; almost forcing a sanction from the officials. It was the first time I saw her get angry over a non-call. It was the first time I saw her get angry, period.

Air Force took the next two points to advance to the semis and set-up a Best-Of-Three date with the top seeded Philippine Army Lady Troopers.

The steady Judy Caballejo led the Air Spikers in scoring with eleven points, and was the only player in double figures for PAF; punctuating the brilliant all-around performance required to put away the Lady Eagles. De Ramos and Pantino finished with seven markers apiece.

Valdez still had a solid outing with eighteen points in the season-ending loss—representing her season-low—while Morente added ten points.

The semifinals begin on Thursday.

It was a calculated gambit employed by Esteban and he deserves a lot credit for then win, as do de Ramos, Pantino and practically everyone who stepped up at just the right time for the Air Spikers—even injured Iya Yongco once again came in to score a crucial point during the tail-end of the first set. They are one of the three teams to have beaten the Lady Troopers in this conference and might be primed to steal at least one against the 2011 titlists.

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For Ateneo, it was heartbreaking way to exit the tournament. They had won all five of their quarterfinals match-ups, but just didn’t have the favor of the quotients and in this match, did not have the favor of having a healthy captain who could have capped the squad’s amazing run with yet another amazing conquest.

The question remains: will Valdez still be receiving the scoring title?

She has already broken the eight year old record held by Thailand’s Jaroensri Bualee for most points scored in a conference—and it is just the end of the quarterfinals. She is undoubtedly out of the running for MVP, but will the league still bestow the Best Scorer award even if the Lady Eagles are no longer in contention?

To help support this case, just last year in the same Open Conference, Meralco’s Maureen Penetrante-Ouano was feted as the league’s Best Blocker. The Power Spikers did not advance to the semis that campaign. Will the league make a similar exception for a record-setting run, as Valdez has achieved?

I have a feeling that it just might happen—of course, I’m not part of the league’s decision-making process on the individual awards. But I think Valdez’s unbelievable achievement merits recognition. I think we all see that coming.

So, more questions remain: who advances to the Big Dance? Can Army’s talent outshine Air Force’s work ethic? Can Cagayan valley rise from the ashes and diffuse the Turbo Boosters? Who is your pick for conference MVP? I think it’s down to RAD, Kuya, Aizer, Gwapa and Maika. Who’s your pick?

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We’re down to just four teams. This is where the real drama ensues. See you at SJA, guys.

BOXSCORES:

Philippine Air Force def. Ateneo de Manila University – 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 (Air Spikers advance to semifinals)

PAF—Caballejo 11, de Ramos 7, Pantino 7, Cases 6, Ortiz 5, Dimaculangan 4, Yongco 1, Balmaceda (L) 0, Semana 0, Andaya 0.

AdMU—Valdez 18, Morente 10, Gequillana 8, B. de Leon 6, Ahomiro 4, Madayag 3, Morado 2, Lazaro (L) 0, Tan 0.

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com