Pocari Sweat endured a close opening set before toppling Coast Guard, 25-17, 25-9, 25-16, yesterday for its first win in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Pocari Lady Warriors struggled with their reception and attacks at the start of the match, but regained their composure in the next two frames to finally jump into the winning column after losing their first match against Air Force.
Skipper Michele Gumabao fired 14 points built on nine kills and four aces for Pocari, the reigning Open Conference champion.
Imports Andrea Kacsits and Breanna Mackie also provided ample support with 10 points apiece, with Kacsits highlighting her performance with eight attacks and four blocks.
“We had a rocky start, but it doesn’t matter naman how you start, but how you finish,” said Gumabao, a former La Salle standout. “We’re still trying to work on our cohesion on and off the court, but we’re getting there.”
The Lady Warriors came out more aggressive in the second set by rattling eight straight points to seal the frame, and kept their composure in the third when the Coast Guard Lady Dolphins took a quick 8-6 lead.
In the Spikers’ Turf, last year’s runnerup Air Force downed defending champion Cignal, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, for its second straight win.
The HD Spikers dropped to 1-1.