Pocari thwarts Air Force, returns to PVL Finals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Pocari Sweat rose from two sets down to frustrate Air Force, 16-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-10, and book another finals trip in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Myla Pablo bled for her points but still came away with a game-high 22 points on 71 spike attempts to carry the Lady Warriors to their fourth appearance in the championship round.

“It seemed like we didn’t want to win in the first and second set,” said Pocari head coach Sgt. Rico de Guzman in Filipino.

The Lady Warriors were on the verge of a semifinals exit with the Lady Jet Spikers two points away from completing an upset.

But that’s when Pocari Sweat’s championship experience showed.

Down 23-22 in the third set, Pocari found an unlikely lifesaver in Heather Guino-o, who delivered back-to-back hits to extend the game.

The Lady Warriors relied heavily on Pablo, Guino-o and Jeannette Panaga in the last two sets where the Lady Jet Spikers unraveled.

Guino-o, who is a late addition to the team playing in only her fourth game, scored 14 points with four service aces.

Pocari Sweat not only rallied in this game, but also in the best-of-three duel after dropping Game 1 in straight sets.

De Guzman said he had no doubt his team is capable of coming back in the series.

“I know that the team can really come back because I see how good they are in practice.”

The Lady Warriors kept their bid for a fourth consecutive title going. Game 1 of the best-of-three finals begins on Saturday.

Creamline and BaliPure dispute the last finals slot.

Mary Ann Pantino had a team-best 16 points for Air Force.