Hannah Faurilloi of Iriga vs Elaine Kasilag and Siemens Dadang of Pocari Sweat. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
POCARI Sweat’s firepower stayed unmatched even minus its two aces as the Lady Warriors turned back Team Iriga, 25-16, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20, to stretch their perfect run to five in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference Saturday at Blue Eagle Gym.
The Lady Warriors—who played without Michelle Gumabao (abdominal pain) and Myla Pablo (back spasms) for the second straight game—pulled through behind Elaine Kasilag to strengthen their hold of the top spot.
Although Gumabao and Pablo were at the bench, Pocari coach Rommel Abella said he opted not to put his top two hitters at risk heading into the Final Fout.
“We’re still waiting for the doctors’ advice,” said Abella.
Kasilag took charge with 17 points built on 11 kills, four aces and a couple of blocks as the Lady Warriors also clipped the semifinal hopes of the Lady Oragons, who fell to a 1-4 record.
But the Lady Oragons refused to bow out without a fight and even stole the third frame, 26-24, behind Grazielle Bombita and Shola Alvarez.
Abella said he tried to tinker with the rotation just when the Lady Warriors looked headed to a straight-sets win, but the plan backfired.
In men’s action, Sta. Elena Construction rallied from two sets down versus Bounty Fresh, 19-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-13. 15-11, to secure at least a playoff for a semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Open Conference.
Joven Camaganakan, Peter Torres and Berlin Paglinawan unloaded 12 points each to power the Sta. Elena Spikers, who kept a hold of the fourth spot with a 2-2 record.