Pocari Sweat eyes second Shakey’s V-L championship

MANILA, Philippines - With a solid local crew and a pair of power-hitting imports, Pocari Sweat is brimming with confidence as it sets out for the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference beginning tomorrow at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

“We’re optimistic of our chances. Our imports have arrived as early as last month and we’ve conducted team-building activities that strengthened our chemistry. The team is in high spirit,” said coach Rommel Abella, who steered Pocari Sweat to the Open Conference championship on its very first try against Air Force early in the season.

Meanwhile, the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s will be launched at 11 a.m. today at 9501 Restaurant at the ABS-CBN with players and imports of the eight participating teams reaching over 100, the biggest gathering of volley talents.

Skipper Michelle Gumabao, the crisp-hitting tandem of Myla Pablo and Elaine Kasilag, Melissa Gohing, Maricar Nepomuceno, Gyzel Sy and Desiree Dadang are all back for another mission with Abella tapping ace setter Iris Tonelada to bolster the team’s rotation.

“Our experience and familiarity with each other will help us. And Iris (Tolenada) has been with us for months to give us another option,” said Abella.

Boosting the team’s bid for another shot at the crown in the import-laced season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision are Andrea Kay Kacsits and Breanna Lee Mackie of the US, whose power and blocking skills make the Lady Warriors the early favorites.

The 6-4 Kacsits is a middle hitter from the Michigan Volleyball Academy while the 6-3 Mackie, a former Central Valley High School star, is an outside/opposite hitter expected to complement with Gumabao, Pablo and Kasilag.

“Our imports are strong and they’re what this team needs – added firepower.

“We’re not underestimating other teams but we will shoot for another championship,” said Abella.

Pocari Sweat won’t see action until Tuesday when it plays Air Force but the Lady Warriors can’t wait to get going in the tournament backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

Meanwhile, for the third conference of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 and Spikers’ Turf, volley fans can expect more feature articles on their favorite teams, coaches, and players, as well as increased fan engagement on www.v-league.ph.

Aside from the usual game recaps and side stories, the site will also feature budding rivalries, legends of the league, pieces that analyze games and performances as well as profiles of players and coaches. For the even more die-hard fan, there will be lots of league trivia.