MANILA, Philippines – Air Force relied on the career game of guest player Jennifer Manzano to defeat the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles in 4 sets and force a play-off for the last Final 4 slot in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.

Air Force won the game with scores of 25-20, 25-19, 20-25, and 25-19 to create a 3-way tie with Ateneo and Philippine Navy.

The 3 teams have identical 2-3 records after the quarterfinals.

By virtue of their superior quotient, Navy is now in the semifinals while Ateneo and Air Force will face each other anew on Thursday to dispute the last Final 4 slot.

Manzano scored 32 points, tying San Sebastian’s Lauren Ford for most points scored in the conference.

The Air Women had to come from behind to win the first set, as Ateneo posted an 8-1 lead behind the brilliant serving of Aerieal Patnongon.

Air Force used its defense to get back in the game, with Liza de Ramos frustrating the Lady Eagles with her blocking.

Manzano then got into an offensive rhythm, scoring the final 4 points for Air Force to win the set.

Manzano’s scoring barrage continued into the 2nd set, as the Lady Eagles were unable to respond.

It looked to be all over for the Lady Eagles in the 3rd set, when rookie star Alyssa Valdez had to be taken out of the game after injuring her ankle.

But Ella de Jesus came in to give Ateneo a big boost, and the Lady Eagles survived to force a 4th set.

Ateneo was able to keep it close in the 4th set, thanks to Fille Cainglet and Patnongon.

But costly errors and their inability to defend attacks from Manzano and Aiza Maizo ultimately doomed the Lady Eagles.

“For Thursday, we will focus our training on our defense and our reception,” Manzano said after the game.