Four fancied teams are expected to level up their performance after completing the semifinal cast of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference.
University of Santo Tomas, Pocari Sweat, BaliPure, and Bureau of Customs advanced in the next round after surviving the single-round preliminaries of this import-laced tournament.
The Tigresses are on top with a 5-1 win-loss record, while Pocari and BaliPure are currently tied at second to third places with 4-1. Customs is at fourth with 4-2.
BaliPure was the last to book the semis ticket after 25-21, 26-24, 25-13 win over Laoag on Wednesday night, and veteran Charo Soriano hopes they could sustain their fiery form as they have yet to drop a set following that loss to UST in their first assignment.
“We’re becoming more consistent and that’s one of the things that we’ve been wanting to work on,” said Soriano.
For Customs coach Sherwin Meneses, it’s all about going back to basics.
“Pag nakuha namin ’yung basic na bola, lalaban naman ’yung team eh. May import kami, tapos may Alyssa (Valdez) ka pa.
Kahit ’yung mahihirap na bola, hindi namin makuha, basta ’yung madadali, ma-perfect namin,” said Meneses.
BaliPure has two matches left in the prelims (against Pocari and Coast Guard), while Customs has Air Force before the semis action heats up on Nov. 5.
Both Soriano and Meneses said their respective squads would not be slowing down and instead, would be aiming to gain more momentum that they could bring into the next round.
“It’s good that we’re in the semis, but we’re also focusing on the rest of the games,” said Soriano.