After two failed attempts, the Pocari Sweat finally figured out the unrelenting Air Force Jet Spikers defense and prevailed in Game Two of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference Finals 17-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 and forced a winner-take-all Game Three
Air Force bolted into the first set, keeping points alive through sheer will and ingenuity. Judy Caballejo served an ace which Jocemer Tapic followed with a block and two kills to bring Air Force to a 15-10 lead. Transitioning smoothly from defense to offense, Air Force protected their lead and got the opening set.
Pocari Sweat recovered and stayed the course through the match. Pocari wore down Air Force’s gritty floor defense starting in the second set. Air Force managed to keep Pocari within one point until two consecutive errors gave the Lady Warriors a 23-21 lead. Kills from Elaine Kasilag and Michele Gumabao finished off the set. The third set became a romp quickly as Air Force spotted their foes several errors. Pocari’s lead ballooned to as large as 10, 22-12, and allowed them to waltz into the fourth set.
The Lady Warriors managed to breakaway early with a 4-0 run to get a 16-12 advantage. Air Force threatened to stay close, trimming the deficit down to two, 22-20, and forcing a Pocari timeout. The sudden break was all Pocari needed to take the set, storming to the win with a 3-0 run capped by a thunderous Desiree Dadang block on May Pantino.
“Sakit na talaga ng team ko ‘yung mabagal na simula,” lamented Pocari head coach Rommel Abella. “Pero ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanila tatagan nila ang loob nila at wag nila bitawan ‘yung lamang. Thankfully, nag-survive kami.”
National U standout Myla Pablo led the Lady Warriors with 19 points, 17 coming off attacks. Elaine Kasilag added 11 markers while Michele Gumabao, Lut Malaluan, and Desiree Dadang each had seven markers.
May Pantino finished with 17 points while Joy Cases and Jocemer Tapic each provided 11 markers.
Game Three will be on Monday, 6 pm at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
Pocari Sweat (3) – Pablo 19, Kasilag 11, Gumabao 7, Dadang 7, Malaluan 7, Sy 6, Fajardo 0, Enclona (L), Gohing (L)
Air Force (1) – Pantino 17, Cases 11, Tapic 11, Caballejo 6, Antipuesto 5, Semana 4, Manzano 1, Yongco 0, Balmaceda (L), Crisostomo (L)
