Tacloban completes conference sweep of Pocari Sweat-Air Force in thriller

The Tacloban Fighting Warays recovered just in time to bag a sweep of their elimination round matches against the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors, 20-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-16, 15-13, in the PVL Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Tacloban engineered a comeback with an eventful fourth set. Opposite hitter Dimdim Pacres served demoralizing hits that sent Pocari Sweat’s top guns Jeanette Panaga and Myla Pablo reeling.

The fifth set was back-and-forth affair in which Pacres was key to the late comeback. Trailing 12-13, the Cebuana scored two of Tacloban’s last three points to escape with their fourth win.

“Malaking bagay talaga si Dimdim sa amin kasi nadagdagan ‘yung opensa namin. Alam naman natin kung gaano kalakas si Dim,” said Tacloban head coach Nes Pamilar about his late addition to this conference.

The current University of Santo Tomas Tigress managed 17 points, while Far Eastern University’s Heather Guino-O led Tacloban with 20 markers.

Two-time PVL Most Valuable Player Myla Pablo topped the Lady Warriors with 26 points. Del Palomata added 11.

The Fighting Warays (4-4) take on the Iriga-Navy Oragons (1-7) on Sunday at the Batangas City Arena. Pocari Sweat (4-4) face the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles (5-2) on Saturday at the Imus City Sports Center.

The Scores

Tacloban (3) – Guino-O 20, Pacres 17, Prado 14, Esguerra 9, Delos Reyes 4, Negrito 2, Alvarez 0, Guillema 0, Tubiera 0, Galang (L)

Pocari Sweat-Air Force (2) – Pablo 26, Palomata 11, Yongco 10, Panaga 9, Pantino 4, Cases 3, Antipuesto 1, Kasilag 1, Semana 1, Cabalsa 0, Balmaceda (L), Tempiatura (L)