LUCENA – Quezon bucked off a first-set hiccup to fend off the visiting AM Caloocan Air Force, 23-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-12, and stay on course of a top-seed finish in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) Season 1 Saturday night, Oct. 12, at the Quezon Convention Center.

Rhea Mae Densing took over when it mattered most, spearheading the Tangerines’ domination in the next three sets to turn back the gritty Air Force Spikers and climbed to 11-1 atop of the standings that will have a win-once bonus in the semifinals along with the second-placed squad.

Francis Mycah Go chipped in 14 points while Cristy Ondangan and Mary Grace Borromeo had 10 and seven points, respectively, as Quezon delighted its home fans with its first victory in a pair of weekend home games in Lucena.

The Tangerines’ win created enough separation from the trailing Rizal St. Gerrard Foundation (10-3) pending the result of their crucial duel at press time.

Iari Yongco-Quimson was the lone bright spot with 18 points for Caloocan in its costly loss to lose steam at 5-6 in a race against Biñan (6-5) for the coveted fourth and last semifinal spot of the MPVA founded by former Senator and also MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, Bacoor encountered some scary moments before cruising to a 25-20, 27-25, 25-23 victory over Negros in the other game.

Middle blocker Winnie Bedana fired 12 points Cyrille Alemeniana and Camille Bustamante chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Strikers, who firmed up hold of the third spot at 9-2.

Bacoor’s win also put it in prime position to make a run for the second seed and the last twice-to-beat bonus in the upcoming semifinals of the MPVA that has Extreme One-Stop Shop Appliances, ASICS, Mikasa and Gerflor as sponsors and MPTV and Outcomm as broadcast partners and organized by Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.

Angeliz Cosme had 12, Andrea Caparal and Gelah Lopez scored 11 each but still weren’t enough as the Lady Blue Hawks stumbled to 4-7 at No. 7.