Former champion Pocari finds old spark, rallies past determined

Doing what she does best, Myla Pablo hammered three successive spikes in the end game as Pocari Sweat pulled off a five-set reversal over PetroGazz Wednesday in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Pablo collected 22 points as the Lady Warriors recovered from a two-sets-to-none hole for a 17-25, 27-29, 25-16, 25-23, 15-13 triumph and remained in contention for the semifinals.

PetroGazz was bent on finishing off the match in three sets until it suddenly went into tailspin in the third, allowing Pocari, the former champion which has fallen on hard times, to slowly regain its footing.

Stephanie Mercado tried to match up with Pablo hit after hit, stringing up three straight hits as the Angels took an 8-6 lead in the fifth set.

But Jeanette Panaga and Joy Cases banded together to keep Pocari in step. After a violation was called on the Angels, Pablo buckled down to work, igniting a fiery finishing kick that pushed the Lady Warriors at match point, 14-13.

Jonah Sabete blocked Pablo for PetroGazz’s final stand but another error by the Angels sealed the win for the Lady Warriors.