Water Defenders, 20-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-19, in the deciding Game 3.
Jessey De Leon rose up for the final hit of the conference and gave Pocari its third straight title in in the tournament formerly known as Shakey’s V-League after conquering last year’s Reinforced and Open conferences.
Pocari head coach Rommel Abella said their championship form all boiled down to the team’s composure.
“It was all about the team’s composure, I remind them every time I call a timeout that they need to be composed and focused at the game at hand,” said Abella.
The Water Defenders’ last gasp on life were their three straight points late in the fourth set to cut the Lady Warriors’ lead to 23-18, but Michelle Keddy would quell Bali Pure’s futile attempt to a comeback to put Pocari at match point, 24-18.
Pocari Sweat celebrates another PVL title. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
“Even when Bali Pure scored three straight points, I wasn’t worried that we would lose,” said Abella. “What I was worried about was that they could cut the lead and the momentum would swing to their favor.”
Krystal Rivers, who played her first game with Pocari in the first match of the finals, was magnificent for the Lady Warriors as she put up a game-high 27 points while Finals MVP Myla Pablo added 16 points.
Michelle Strizak, who was named the Conference’s Best Import, had 10 points to aid the Lady Warriors in their championship quest.
Jeng Bualee and Jennifer Keddy led Bali Pure with 13 points apiece.