AFTER outlasting a tough contender in the last playdate, Pocari Sweat quickly gets back to action hoping to show the same gritty form in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference today.
But for the Lady Warriors to stay unbeaten versus Team Laoag, Pocari coach Rommel Abella said they’ll need another big game from volleyball veteran Michele Gumabao.
“She’s our most consistent player so far and we will continue to rely on her,” Abella said of Gumabao, the former La Salle star who unleashed 27 points in the Lady Warriors’ grueling win over National University, 26-24, 17-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11, Wednesday night.
The Lady Warriors target a 3-0 start in the 6:30 p.m. match at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Philippine Air Force, who also showcased a gem in rookie Dell Palomata, goes for back-to-back wins versus Team Baguio at 4 p.m.
Palomata, a 6-foot-3 recruit from La Salle-Bacolod, debuted with 16 points in the Jet Spikers’ victory over Bali Pure, 25-23, 14-25, 25-19, 25-16, last Monday.
Air Force also takes the floor in Spikers’ Turf as it disputes the solo lead with Cignal at 1 p.m.
The Jet Spikers kicked off their bid with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 drubbing of Sta. Elena, while the HD Spikers needed fives sets to dispose of Bounty Fresh, 25-18, 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10.
Pocari also leaned on Elaine Kasilag (21 points) and Myla Pablo (18 points) against NU, a week after opening with a sweep of University of the Philippines, 25-18, 25-14, 25-22.