Pocari Sweat blew a huge lead but that only paved the way for a wild finish in Game 1 of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Finals Saturday night.
The Lady Warriors proved to be the steadier team as they eked out a 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24 win over Bali Pure to inch closer to another title.
Pocari shoots for a second straight championship on Tuesday.
Krystal Rivers shone in her first game as replacement import with a game-high 20 points for the Lady Warriors.
“We were just too tense because everyone’s pumped up knowing Krystal is going to play for the first time so I just told them to settle down,” said Pocari head coach Rommel Abella.
The Lady Warriors lost a 19-12 lead and even trailed, 24-22, before Rivers, Jessey de Leon and Gyzelle Sy spearheaded the defending champions’ spirited comeback.
“We don’t have problems getting leads but we have problems in sustaining them,” said Abella. “We just have to address that through our mental toughness”
Sy completed Pocari’s rally with a service ace after Rivers and de Leon anchored the Lady Warriors’ net defense and came up with two crucial blocks against Jeng Bualee and Jennifer Keddy, respectively.
Michelle Strizak added 18 for Pocari while Myla Pablo had 16 and Jeannette Panaga finished with 12 points for the Lady Warriors, who also overcame 31 errors.
Soltones paced the Water Defenders with 17 while Bualee wound up with 16.