Bali Pure exacts revenge on Pocari; Birthday girl Valdez drops 24

Alyssa Valdez. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Bali Pure avenged its elimination round loss to Pocari Sweat with a sweet three set sweep, 25-20, 25-19, 26-24, in the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

Amy Ahomiro sealed the Water Defenders’ vengeance game with a booming service ace right after Alyssa Valdez’ crucial off-the-block kill that put Bali Pure up 25-24 in the third set.

It was the Lady Warriors who snapped Bali Pure’s five-game win streak in a five setter that saw the Water Defenders lose in the most frustrating way possible, 25-21, 25-6, 24-26, 25-27, 17-19.

Water Defenders playing coach Charo Soriano credited “minor changes” to her team’s play to their victory, which gave them a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semifinal series.

“Minor adjustments sa blocking, last game kasi we were not getting a lot of blocks, and they [Lady Warriors] were getting a lot of check balls,” said Soriano. “This time around we told everyone to press in and get lower blocks.”

“Pocari hits high and they put it downwards.”

Bali Pure attempted a total of 33 blocks, three of which it converted into points, in Wednesday’s game after putting up 63 blocks including five points in last Saturday’s five setter.

Valdez, who celebrated her 23rd birthday, had 24 points to lead Bali Pure while Grethcel Soltones added 11 points.

Michele Gumabao and Elaine Kasilag had 11 points apiece for Pocari.