Defending Women’s Open Conference Champions Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors displayed the heart of a champion, rallying back from two sets down to stun the Hair Fairy-Philippine Air Force Lady Jet Spikers once more, 16-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-10, to advance to the Finals on Wednesday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
But the journey to their fourth straight Premier Volleyball League Finals has not been easy, as the Lady Warriors had to claw their way past their arch-rivals.
“Sa tema ng laro, simula first set, second set, wala kaming first ball, parang walang gana ang mga players,” said first-year Pocari Sweat head coach Rico de Guzman. “Sabi ko, semis na to, wala nang Game Four, ibig sabihin ayaw niyong maglaro nang maayos, papalitan ko, marami akong pwedeng ipalit.”
Myla Pablo willed the Lady Warriors with a game-high 22 points, but needed 71 attack attempts to do so. And Pocari Sweat found the support Pablo needed in the unlikeliest of source — Heather Guino-o.
“Napakatahimik na bata. Sabi ko, every huddle, magsalita ka, walang bayad. Siya yung bumuhay sa team. Siya yung tumulong kay Myla,” De Guzman remarked about the team’s new recruit, who finished with 14 points.
Down 2-0 and the third said knotted at 23-all, it was two services aces from Guino-o that sparked the Lady Warriors’ comeback attempt.
After forcing a fifth and deciding set, Pocari Sweat raced to an 11-7 lead capped by a Jeanette Panaga block on Mary Ann Pantino. A Guino-o attack and an Air Force error later on gave Pocari Sweat match point.
Joy Cases tried to rally Air Force back, but a service error by Jocemer Tapic punched in Pocari Sweat’s ticket to the Finals.
Pantino paced Air Force with 16 points, while Iari Yongco and Cases had 15 and 14 points respectively.
Pocari Sweat will await the winner of the Bali Pure-Creamline series. The best-of-three Finals series will begin on Saturday, August 12, at 6:00pm.
The Scores:
Pocari Sweat (3) – Pablo 22, Guino-o 14, Panaga 13, De Leon 9, Cainglet-Cayetano 4, Dadang 4, Sy 2, Kasilag 1, Nepomuceno 0, Serafica 0, Gohing (L), Valdez (L).
Air Force (2) – Pantino 16, Yongco 15, Cases 14, Tapic 13, Semana 4, Palomata 4, Caballejo 2, Antipuesto 1, Abanto 0, Crisostomo (L), Balmaceda (L).
