Bali Pure strikes first for 1-0 lead over Pocari in PVL Finals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Bali Pure struck quick and humbled Pocari Sweat in straight sets, 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 to get a 1-0 lead in the final round of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Risa Sato, who was awarded as the league’s 2nd Best Blocker, handed the finishing blow with a quick kill down the middle of the Lady Warriors’ defense.

The Water Defenders, after getting in the brink of elimination in the preliminaries, have now won five of their last six games including two straight victories over Creamline in the Final Four.

Bali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb knows his team has now built enough confidence, after their topsy-turvy eliminations, as they are one win away from the title.

“We’re confident and we’ll just capitalize on this win,” said Gorayeb in Filipino. “We will go to the next game with the psychological advantage.”

“Again we were almost eliminated and it was a really difficult road going to the championship.”

Aiko Urdas led the Water Defenders with 15 points while Jerrili Malabanan and Grethcel Soltones added 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Elaine Kasilag had 11 points to lead Pocari while MVP Myla Pablo added nine.