MANILA, Philippines – Pocari Sweat lost the first game in the best-of-3 semifinals series and even dropped the first set of their do-or-die game on Monday, July 4 against Bali Pure. But the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors showed heart and grit to prove that they were the better team, earning a trip to the finals.
Pocari Sweat overcame their slow start to down the Bali Pure Water Defenders in 4 sets, 15-25, 27-25, 25-11, 25-23, to seal a finals showdown with the Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers in the Shakey's V-League Open Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Myla Pablo exploded with 26 points, coming from 22 attacks. Elaine Kasilag also added 21 points for Pocari Sweat.
"Our motto is just to do our best and God will do the rest," Pocari Sweat Assistant Coach Rommel Abella said in Filipino.
"Slow start talaga kami. Diesel team nga daw kami," he added. (We came from a slow start. We're like a diesel-fueled machine.)
Bali Pure owned the first set, 25-15, courtesy of the attacking of Gretchel Soltones, who finished with 19 points.
But Pocari Sweat fought hard to steal the momentum in the second canto.
It was a Pablo and Kasilag scoring show in the third set as the Lady Warriors buried the Water Defenders in a 22-10 hole.
"Sobrang saya kasi nasuklian yung sobrang hirap naming training," said Pablo. (I'm so happy because our training bore fruit.)
Aside from Soltones, Captain Alyssa Valdez and Amy Ahomiro led Bali Pure with 15 and 13 markers respectively.
The best-of-3 finals begin Wednesday, July 13 at the Philsports Arena. – Rappler.com