Mental toughness key to upsetting Pocari Sweat, says Pamilar

Power Smashers coach Nes Pamillar. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

For the past two games, the Power Smashers have started poorly against Pocari Sweat in their semifinals series in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

On both occasions, the Power Smashers saw themselves trail two-sets-to-none. They dropped Game 1 in five sets three days ago, but bounced back and won Game 2.

Their head coach Nes Pamilar, however, doesn’t see his team’s habit of starting slow as a cause of concern heading into the deciding Game 3 on Thursday.

READ: Power Smashers force decider for PVL Finals berth

“I just need to explain to my players that we have to practice our first ball more and be better at receiving,” Pamilar told reporters in Filipino after his squad eked out a 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13 squeaker Tuesday.

Pamilar feels the Power Smashers just have to be mentally tougher if they want to upset the Lady Warriors, who are seeking their third straight finals appearance.

“In the first game, we were also leading in sets one and two but every time they rally, our team gets rattled. So it’s all mental and our mindset.”

READ: Pocari overcomes Power Smashers in 5 sets

Kannika Thipachot led the way for the Power Smashers with 28 points while fellow Thai import Hyapa Amporn and Jovelyn Prado backed her up with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Michelle Strizak pumped in 33 points while Myla Pablo added 20 but their duo just couldn’t will Pocari to victory. The Lady Warriors’ sloppy play didn’t help as their error-filled outing gave the Power Smashers 33 points off miscues.