“Die another day!”
That was what Pocari Sweat’s lively team manager Eric Ty had exclaimed after his team forced a winner-take-all Game Three on Monday, July 4, for a seat in the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Open Conference Finals.
The Lady Warriors again showed their mettle, toughing out another five-setter against the loaded Bali Pure Water Defenders in Game Two. Pocari exacted the same amount of effort they needed to repeat their elimination round triumph and avenge their lackluster Game One outing.
Pocari’s fierce team captain Michele Gumabao could not be prouder of how much heart her teammates had showed.
“I’m thankful kasi, at least, I know kaya naming mag-perform under pressure,” said the former La Salle Lady Spiker as she lauded how most of her teammates persevered through a tough schedule to get them to this point.
“Under pressure, nadoon ‘yung, nandoon ‘yung focus. Hindi kami nagpapa-overcome sa pressure. I’d rather win in five sets than lose in five sets kasi masakit din matalo five sets than matalo in straight sets. Kasi in five sets, alam mong kaya mo – you’re there but hindi mo nagawa.”
The Pocari Sweat franchise has never made it to the Finals of a league, dating back to their days in the Philippine Superliga as the Mane ‘N Tail Lady Stallions.
As one of the team’s corner pieces, Gumabao is aware of the stakes heading into tomorrow’s tiff at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. However, the UAAP Season 75 Finals MVP confidently assures the fans that they’ll come out to play.
“This game is probably one of the most pressured games that we’re gonna have. Kung ano pinakita namin for the past big games ipapakita namin on Monday, I think we’re gonna be fine. Even after how many losses, hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in sa akin na hindi namin kaya. I believe in my team,” she declared.
Gumabo ended by emphasizing her team’s chemistry and family-type relationship.
“The reason why we can get up after so many setbacks is because of our bond not only inside the court but outside. I love my teammates – I feel like we’re a family and we really have each other’s backs.”
