Suffering a surprising loss last Sunday, the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors bounced back with a tight win over the Petro Gazz Angels, 25-20, 29-31, 25-15, 17-25, 15-5, at the Malolos City Sports and Convention Center.
After trading sets with the Angels – including a deflating loss in the second set – the Lady Warriors showed their mettle in the decider. Using their strong target serving, Pocari Sweat stifled Petro Gazz’s offense and built an insurmountable 8-2 lead.
Pocari Sweat finished with an 11-2 serving advantage and a 58-37 gap in attacking.
Lady Warriors head coach Jasper Jimenez pointed at his team’s experience in closing games for their fifth set surge.
“Siguro nag-mature na sila pagdating sa fifth set dahil alam ko namang kayang-kaya nila, kaso breaks of the game. ‘Pag nanalo, bibigay so talagang ganoon ang trend ng laro ngayon,” said Jimenez, who also mentioned the ongoing AFP Olympics as one of the reasons for his team’s up-and-down play.
“Kaya nga dahil siguro hindi maka-focus. Dalawa kasi ang liga namin ngayon, meron kaming AFC olympics. Hindi siya katulad kapag isang liga lang naka-focus lang kami dito so siguro ‘yung set ng mind hindi talaga,” the enlisted Air Force personnel added.
Myla Pablo continued her high-scoring ways, pouring in 22 points against the Angels. Jeanette Panaga added 11 markers to pace Pocari Sweat.
Jonah Sabete, a new addition to Petro Gazz, topped the Angels with 17 markers, but was the only one on her team in double-digits.
The Lady Warriors (1-1) take on the Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons (0-2) on Saturday at the Imus City Sports Center. Petro Gazz (1-2) look to halt their losing skid against the debuting Creamline Cool Smashers, also on Saturday.
The Scores
Pocari Sweat-Air Force (3) – Pablo 22, Panaga 11, Palomata 10, Pantino 9, Cabalsa 6, Yongco 6, Semana 4, Antipuesto 2, Kasilag 2, Andaya 0, Cases 0, Tempiatura (L)
Petro Gazz (2) – Sabete 17, Mercado 8, Pablo 6, Musa 5, Nunag 4, Mendrez 4, Saet 2, Austero 2, Cheng 2, Layug 2, De Leon 0, Cruz (L), Enclona (L)
