Pocari turns back Laoag, gains V-L semifinals

MANILA, Philippines - Streaking Pocari Sweat fought back from seven points down and edged Team Laoag in an extended third set duel, notching a 25-13, 25-20, 26-24 victory and clinching a spot in the semifinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Import Breanna Mackie unloaded a 21-hit effort after a 24-point game against Customs last Saturday as she spearheaded another romp by the Lady Warriors, who clinched their fourth straight-set win in row since dropping a four-setter to the Air Force Jet Spikers last Oct. 5.

Pocari Sweat thus joined UST in the Final Four with a 4-1 card, keeping the Lady Warriors on track for a second straight championship after debuting with a victory over the Jet Spikers in the Open Conference finals early in the year.

A young University of the Philippines closed out its campaign with a convincing victory, upending the veteran Air Force side, 25-16, 25-20, 25-10, to finish with a 3-4 card.

The Lady Maroons missed the semis after finishing third in the Collegiate Conference but gained so much in terms of experience, confidence and chemistry as they head to the UAAP Season 79 wars.

Air Force fell to 2-4 with the loss virtually completing the Final Four cast with UST (5-1), Pocari (4-1), BaliPure (3-1) and Customs (3-2). BaliPure and Customs are expected to clinch their fourth wins against winless Coast Guard on Wednesday and on Nov. 2, respectively.

Mackie, a 6-3 spiker who won five national championships for Long Beach, said it was their chemistry that continued to anchor their amazing surge.

“We’re communicating a lot inside the court now and I think we will keep on improving,” said Mackie.

Kay Kacsits, the other Pocari reinforcement, added seven points while locals Elaine Kasilag, Siemens Dadang, Myla Pablo and skipper Michelle Gumabao combined for 19 points as the Lady Warriors dominated the 70-minute encounter.

Laoag slid to 2-4 and in danger of missing the semis of the season-ending conference sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

Grethcel Soltones fired 10 points but failed to draw solid backup from the rest with Jorelle Singh adding nine markers, Aiko Urdas chipping in six points and Katherine Villegas scoring five hits.