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[av_heading heading=’Pocari Sweat one victory away from V-League title ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors moved closer to bagging the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference crown after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 win over the Bureau of Customs Transformers in Game 1 of the Finals on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Michelle Gumabao and American reinforcement Breanna Mackie led the way with 13 points apiece for the Lady Warriors, which can clinch the championship in Game 2 of the best-of-three series tonight.
The Lady Warriors opened the match with an 8-4 lead behind Gumabao and Mackie. The Transformers quickly answered back to come to within 11-10 but conversions from Iris Tolenada and Mackie gave the Lady Warriors a 16-14 lead.
The Lady Warriors managed a small gap with a 20-16 lead after a block by Kay Kacsits. After another run by the Transformers to come to within 22-20, Gumabao and Myla Pablo scored back-to-back to take the set.
Both teams had a tight exchange early in the second set with the score tied at 12-all following a conversion by Mackie. The Lady Warriors, however, suddenly pulled away behind Desiree Dadang and Mackie for a 16-12 edge.
After another mini run by the Transformers to come to within 17-14, the Lady Warriors unloaded consecutive hits from Dadang and Mackie for a 24-18 lead. Another Dadang conversion gave the Lady Warriors a 2-0 set lead.
The Lady Warriors quickly built an 8-5 lead early in the third set but the Transformers kept it close at 10-9. Consecutive errors by the Transformers allowed the Lady Warriors to build a 16-13 edge.
More errors from the Transformers side followed by a tip-in by Gyzelle Sy gave the Lady Warriors a 21-16 lead. The Transformer tried to keep it close anew at 24-18 but a powerful hit by Elaine Kasilag ended the match.
“We want to close it out in Game 2 syempre,” said Lady Warriors head coach Rommel Abella. “But that is easier said than done so we have to prepare since the Customs are capable of coming back.”
Reinforced Conference MVP candidate Alyssa Valdez finished with 12 points to lead the way for the Transformers, which will look to force a do-or-die Game 3 on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the Bali Pure Water Defenders bucked a slow start to score a 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 win over the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the best-of-three battle-for-third place match./PN
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