Pocari halts BaliPure in Game 1
Jessica Galanza of Creamline Cool Smashers slams it in against the waiting arms of Kannika Thipachot of Power Smashers in their Premier Volleyball League match yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. JOEY MENDOZA
Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena)
10 a.m. – Army vs Sta. Lucia (men’s – for third)
12 noon – Air Force vs Cignal (men’s – for title)
4 p.m. – Creamline vs Power Smashers (women’s – for third)
6:30 p.m. – BaliPure vs Pocari Sweat (women’s – for title)
MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Pocari Sweat halted BaliPure’s furious fightback in the fourth set as it drubbed the Water Defenders, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24, to draw first blood in their best-of-three finals meet last night in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Lady Warriors displayed their superb blocking while skipper Gyzelle Sy delivered an ace as Pocari Sweat closed with a 4-0 tear to frustrate BaliPure, which moved to match point, 22-24, after a 7-15 deficit.
Debuting American reinforcement Krystal Rivers, who struggled with errors before producing her first point for a 16-all count in the first set, topscored with 20 points built on 17 attacks and three blocks. American Michelle Strizak churned out 18 points, Myla Pablo wound up with 16 and Jeanette Panaga produced 12 for the Lady Warriors who also dominated at the net, 15-9, to make up for their 31 miscues, 10 more than the Water Defenders.
Grethcel Soltones rattled 17 points, Thai Jang Bualee came away with 16 and American Jennifer Keddy tallied eight for BaliPure which needs to win in its next match on Tuesday to stay in the title hunt.
Pocari Sweat built a 15-7 cushion in the fourth set anchored on the early exploits of Rivers and Pablo.
The Water Defenders, however, countered with a fiery charge led by Thai Jang Bualee to seize the lead and put BaliPure at match point, 22-24, before a costly service error by Soltones sparked Pocari Sweat’s endgame run.
In the battle for third place, Creamline came away with a one-sided 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.
Alyssa Valdez, Thai Kuttika Kaewpin and Pau Soriano teamed up in the Cool Smashers’ blistering romp in the third set where they raced to a 22-11 advantage from a three-all count to seal the win.
“I guess the key was our imports were inspired to play because in a few days, they will be going home already,” said Creamline assist. coach Oliver Almadro.
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