Coming off an uninspired effort yesterday, the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors responded with a decisive, four-set win over the BanKo-Perlas Spikers, 15-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-22, at the People’s Gym in Tuguegaro City.
Pocari Sweat shrugged off a slow start, pounding their foes on the serve. Comfortably taking the second and thirs sets, the Lady Warriors nearly stumbled in the fourth frame.
After grabbing an 8-3 edge, the Lady Warriors momentarily collapsed, surrendering errors and free balls that allowed BanKo to take a 12-10 advantage. But, Pocari Sweat eventually regained the lead as three straight aces from middle blocker Angel Antipuesto highlighted a 6-0 burst that pulled the Lady Warriors ahead for good. BanKo tried to come back, but their own errors and miscues cost them crucial points in the endgame.
Team captain Myla Pablo admitted after the game that the defending champions were disappointed in their debut performance against PayMaya.
“Marami talaga kaming naging problema kahapon,” said the former PVL Most Valuable Player, who led her squad with 15 points off 11 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
“Kaya bago nitong game talagang nag-usap kaming team about sa mga kailangan naming ayusin like serve receive and depensa. Nag-work naman today and happy kami na makakauwi kami nang may panalo,” she added.
The Lady Warriors (1-1) take on Creamline (1-1) on May 20. BanKo (1-1) try to recover against Petro Gazz (0-2) on the same day.
