The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors needed every inch of their two-set cushion to put away the Power Smashers and remain undefeated in the Premiere Volleyball League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The three-time PVL champs barely faced resistance in the the early goings, maintaining early leads in the first two sets and finishing off the Power Smashers.
Come the third set, however, the Lady Warriors fell into a deep lull. Pocari Sweat head coach Rico De Guzman rued his team’s tendency to relax when holding big leads.
“Para bang mas gusto nilang pinahihirapan sila,” said De Guzman. “Maraming nawala sa amin – nawalan ng communication, nawala sa focus. Sinabi ko sa kanila na mag-stick lang kami sa game plan namin and tignan ng maigi ‘yung ginagawa ng kalaban, malalagpasan namin ‘to.”
Dragged into a fifth set, the Lay Warriors dug deep. Trailing 1-4, Pocari Sweat ace Myla Pablo sparked a run that gave her team a 6-5 lead. Service specialist Fille Cainglet-Cayetano then came in with the match tied at 9 and picked up key defensive plays. Two-time Finals MVP Pablo then did work, scoring four of Pocari Sweat’s last six points to end the match.
“Maganda ‘yung pasok ni Fille. Tatlong bola din ‘yung nakuha niya. Ganoong kasimple lang kami nanalo; noong nakadepensa kami at nakapatay ng bola, umangat na kami,” added De Guzman.
Pablo poured in a season-high 30 points, while middle blocker Jeanette Panaga added 15.
The Lady Warriors improve their record to 3-0 and will face fellow undefeated squad Creamline (2-0) next Saturday.
Opposite hitter Dimdim Pacres and open hitter Regine Arocha each provided 17 points for the Power Smashers, who drop to a 0-2 start.
The Scores
Pocari Sweat (3) – Pablo 30, Panaga 15, Kasilag 11, Nepomuceno 10, Dadang 3, De Leon 2, Gohing 1, Paran 1, Serafica 0, Doromal 0, Cainglet-Cayetano 0, Valdez (L).
Power Smashers (2) – Arocha 17, Pacres 17, Prado 10, Esguerra 6 , Eulalio 4, Marzan 4, Villegas 3, Guillema 3, Bicar 2, Sta. Rita 0, Gillego (L), Galang (L).
