POCARI Sweat took BaliPure almost to the limit and scored a 15-25, 27-25, 25-11, 25-23 in Game Three of their semifinals showdown to book a franchise-first championship appearance in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference on Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The team formerly called Philips Gold in another league, the Lady Warriors proved what they are really made of and never wavered when it mattered most even against the crowd-darling Water Defenders.
“Finally for the first time we made thesa Finals. We were third in the other league [Philippine Superliga] that’s why we did all out best here,” said Pocari Interim Coach Rommel Abella, who admitted that they had a hard time against a BaliPure side led by two collegiate Most Valuable Players (MVPs)—Alyssa Valdez (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and Grethcel Soltones (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
“BaliPure is very strong with its superstars,” Abella added.
Elaine Kasilag fired away three consecutive kills in the fourth set as Pocari Sweat survived BaliPure in the fierce duel of power and nerves.
The Lady Warriors came back strong from an opening set blowout with Myla Pablo taking over and hammering in crisp kills and the rest backing her up with superb floor and net defense and solid blocking to take the next two before Kasilag took over to deliver the hits at endgame.
It was a rousing victory for Pocari Sweat, which battled back from a stinging setback in the opener of their best-of-three series before snatching a highly-emotional five-set victory in Game Two Saturday, setting the stage for Monday night’s sudden death.
Pocari Sweat and first finalist Air Force begin their title showdown, another best-of-three affair, on July 13 as the league gives way to the International Basketball Federation Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament starting at the MOA Arena.
The Lady Jet Spikers swept the Laoag Power Smashers in their side of the Final Four of the season-opening conference of the country’s premier women’s volley league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.
For a while, the Water Defenders, starring the power-hitting former MVP Alyssa Valdez, looked headed for an easy outing after thumping the Lady Warriors with a seven-point romp in the opening set. But Pablo, Kasilag and Michelle Gumabao combined to rally the team in an extended second set duel before coasting to a third-set romp.
Pablo came away with 26 hits, including 22 attack points, while Kasilag rammed in 18 kills and finished with 21 points. Michelle Gumabao added 15 markers.
The Lady Warriors also held Valdez to 15 hits with Soltones topscoring for BaliPure with 19 points and Amy Ahomiro chipping in 13 markers.
Image credits: Alysa Salen