The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors paved a smooth entry into the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference, winning their sixth straight match after outlasting the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-14, at the PhilSports Arena.
Pocari began the match bombarding the UST defense with heavy serves. Flat-footed, the Tigresses struggled to field good first touches and allowed the Lady Warriors to take the early lead.
The Lady Warriors again had the second set under control, leading 21-17 after a flurry of Bre Mackie spikes and UST attack errors. The Tigresses, however, managed to plug the gap thanks to Ej Laure who server an ace that tied the set at 21. Mackie then pulled the Lady Warriors out of the ditch, countering UST’s attempts at taking the lead with her sharp attacks. Mackie ended up scoring Pocari’s last two points to seal the set.
The Lady Warriors were not as fortunate in the third set as UST again trimmed their lead late. The Tigresses rallied from a 9-12 deficit and bolted ahead 17-14. Pocari Sweat tried to comeback, surviving two set points to threaten to force a deuce 24-22. But UST’s Cherry Rondina doused their rally after converting a drop ball to end a long rally and prolong the match.
The fourth frame then quickly fell into Pocari’s favor after breaking away from a 12-all tie to take an insurmountable 21-12 advantage.
“Good thing sa mga bandang dulo ng sets nakaka-recover kami. Ang UST talaga lalaban at lalaban yan kahit ano ang score,” said Pocari head coacg Rommel Abella.
“Ang in-instill namin sa kanila, kahit anong mangyari kailangan manalo tayo para lang sa momentum kaya kahit no-bearing yung game, lalaban pa din kami.”
The Americam Mackie tallied a tournament-high 27 points while her fellow open hitter Myla Pablo added 16 markers.
Ej Laure led the 2016 Unigames champions with 18 markers while Rondina and middle blocker Ria Meneses picked up 10 points each.
Both squads will meet in the semis with Game One of the best-of-three series happening on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. Bali Pure and the Bureau of Customs meet in the other side of the bracket.
The Scores
Pocari Sweat (3) – Mackie 27, Pablo 16, Gumabao 8, Kacsits 8, Tolenada 6, Dadang 4, Sy 1, Alkuino 0, Alvarez 0, Kasilag 0, Gohing (L)
UST (1) – Laure 18, Meneses 10, Rondina 10, Lastimosa 7, Cortez 3, Palec 3, Pacres 2, Francisco 2, Bicar 1, Cabanos 0, Viray 0, Rasmo (L), Rivera (L)
