Pocari Sweat targets 2nd Shakey’s V-L crown
THERE’S enough reason for Pocari Sweat to feel confident about nailing a second straight Shakey’s V-League crown.
The team has brought back its potent local crew and has beefed up its arsenal with a pair of power-hitting imports, making it an easy pick to rule the Reinforced Conference that kicks off tomorrow at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“We’re optimistic of our chances,” said coach Rommel Abella, who steered Pocari Sweat to the Open Conference championship on its very first try against Air Force early in the season. “Our imports have arrived as early as last month and we’ve conducted team-building activities that strengthened our chemistry.”
“The team is in high spirits,” he added.
The season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s will be launched at 11 a.m. today at 9501 Restaurant inside ABS-CBN with players and imports of the eight participating teams numbering over 100 gracing the biggest gathering of volleyball talents.
Skipper Michele Gumabao, the crisp-hitting tandem of Myla Pablo and Elaine Kasilag, Melissa Gohing, Maricar Nepomuceno, Gyzel Sy and Desiree Dadang are all back for another mission with Abella tapping ace setter Iris Tonelada to bolster the team’s rotation.
“Our experience and familiarity with each other will help us. And Iris has been with us for months to give us another option,” added Abella.
Boosting the team’s bid for another shot at the crown in the import-laced season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision are Americans Andrea Kay Kacsits and Breanna Lee Mackie, whose power and blocking skills make the Lady Warriors the early favorites.
The 6-foot-4 Kacsits is a middle hitter from the Michigan Volleyball Academy while the 6-3 Mackie, a former Central Valley High star, is an outside/opposite hitter who will complement Gumabao, Pablo and Kasilag.
“Our imports are strong and they’re what this team needs—added firepower. We’re not underestimating other teams but we will shoot for another championship,” said Abella.
Pocari Sweat won’t see action until Tuesday when it plays Air Force.
Meanwhile, for the third conference of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 and Spikers’ Turf, volley fans can expect more feature articles on their favorite teams, coaches, and players, as well as increased fan engagement on www.v-league.ph.
Aside from the usual game recaps and side stories, the site will also feature budding rivalries, legends of the league, pieces that analyze games and performances as well as profiles of players and coaches. For the even more die-hard fan, there will be lots of league trivia.
Coast Guard and Laoag clash in tomorrow’s 4 p.m. opener while Air Force and UST tangle at 6 p.m. to be aired live over ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23. The first match will be shown on a delayed basis although both matches can also be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph.
