Bali Pure Water Defenders. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With a 5-1 record and a five-game unbeaten streak, Bali Pure has surely found its footing in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference and playing-coach Charo Soriano knows her team is confident ahead of their last eliminations game before the semifinals.
“I think everyone is more confident,” said Soriano Wednesday at San Juan Arena.
Soriano is also confident her players are mature enough to not let their five-game win streak get into their heads.
“At the same time, they know they still have a lot of improvements to do, alam naman yun ng lahat, wala namang isa sa kanila na nagsabi this is my best already, even Grethcel [Soltones].”
“She’s always saying ‘Ate Cha I should have done this more,” and that’s good, that’s very good character talaga.”
Soltones has been averaging 18.2 points per game for Bali Pure.
As good as the Water Defenders have been, Pocari Sweat, though, is on another level.
Pocari Sweat hasn’t lost a single game, 5-0, even without its two stars Myla Pablo and Michelle Gumabalo as of late and Soriano knows their upcoming match is a test of their mettle.
“Pocari is good, and we’re going to know what we’re up against in the next round,” said Soriano. “It’s going to be a good gauge.”
The biggest threat in Bali Pure’s conquest of Pocari Sweat is the defensive-offensive tandem of Gumabao and Pablo, who are both recovering from injuries.
Gumabao has averaged 16.25 points in four games while Pablo averaged 14 points across three games.
Soriano’s game plan is mainly to contain the two stars using the Water Defenders’ familiarity of the opponents’ style of play.
“I think we already know how Michele plays, how Myla plays, and we’ve seen them since their college years,” said Soriano. “Michele is a really good player, we’ve seen her and she delivers.”
“If we serve well, if we serve tough, it would be harder for them. We’re banking on a few open hits from Myla and Michele as well, those are the things we want to control.”