Mackie lifts Pocari Sweat over UP for second win

After dropping their opening day match, the retooled Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors surged to their second straight win, keeping the University of the Philippines in a slump, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23, in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Pocari Sweat drew a season-high 23 points from import Bre Mackie – the only player to score in double-digits – while Myla Pablo and Michele Gumabao contributed nine and eight points, respectively.

The Lady Maroons, who dropped their second straight match, continued to struggle offensively, converting just 21 of their 109 attack attempts, while the Lady Warriors scored on 44 of their 116 attempts.

Pocari started the match sluggishly, spotting a 6-1 lead to the Lady Maroons before surging midway through the set and tying at 17. The latter portion of the set became a sloppy trade of errors in which the Lady Maroons surrendered three straight and handed Pocari the early lead.

The Lady Warriors then pounded their younger foes in the second frame and slotted in their bench players in the third frame. UP, led by Marian Buitre’s scoring, kept within two points of Pocari before falling silent offensively in the endgame.

“Right now, I would say we’re just at 85-90%. We still have a lot of things to work on, especially sa chemistry namin. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na ang improvement ng team because we have tough opponents ahead,” said Pocari Sweat head coach Rommel Abella.

Buitre led the Lady Maroons with eight points, while Justine Dorog added six. UP played without veteran Nicole Tiamzon due to academic commitments.

Pocari (2-1) next face the Bureau of Customs (3-1) on October 23. UP (1-3) take on Laoag (2-1) on Monday. Both matches will be at 6 pm in the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Scores

Pocari Sweat (3) – Mackie 23, Pablo 9, Gumabao 8, Kasilag 5, Kacsits 3, Alkuino 2, Tolenada 2, Dadang 1, Sy 1, Alvarez 0, Nepomuceno 0, Gohing (L), Enclona (L)

UP (0) – Buitre 8, Dorog 6, Molde 6, Bersola 5, Carlos 4, Cailing 3, Ramos 2, Thai 1, Chopitea 0, Estrañero (L), Gaiser (L)