Valdez, BOC set up V-League finals date with Pocari

FILE – Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Bureau of Customs clung on to its finals dreams and upended Bali Pure in five sets, 25-21, 25-16, 24-26, 8-25, 15-8, in the do-or-die game in the semifinals of the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference Wednesday at Philsports Arena.

Lillet Mabbayad came through in the clutch for the Transformers, who will now face Pocari Sweat in the finals come Saturday.

“Alam naman natin ang Bali Pure hindi bibigay yan, and gumanda talaga laro nila,” said Transformers head coach Sherwin Meneses after giving up the third and fourth sets to the Water Defenders.

Meneses added their stable fifth set could be credited to the leadership of team captain Alyssa Valdez who served as Meneses’ coaching extension on the court.

“Yung breaks napunta sa amin and lamang kami kasi may Alyssa kami kasi may coach kami sa loob, yun  lamang namin.”

BOC held an early 7-2 lead at the start of the fifth when Kanjana Kuthaisong and Valdez exchanged kills to establish the Transformers’ momentum en route to Mabbayad’s clincher.

Kuthaisong would also lead the Transformers in scoring with 20 points while Valdez added 16.

Rose Vargas and Mabbayad also finished in double digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Katherine Morrell would carry the offensive load for Bali Pure as she finished with 24 points while Amy Ahomiro added 10.