POCARI Sweat-Air Force whipped Balipure-NU in a five-set thriller 29-27, 20-25, 19-25, 26-24,15-13, in the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Wednesday at the San Juan Arena.
Myla Pablo forced a deciding set before giving way to Madeline Palmer, who, with the score still tied at 13-all in the fifth set, finished off the Defenders with back-to-back kills.
“Big factor si Myla. Superstar para sa akin. Pag naglaro siya para siyang import so buti lumabas nung time na ‘yun na kailangang-kailangan,” Pocari coach Jasper Jimenez said after the team improved to 3-1.
"Buti na lang nag-step up siya at nakuha namin yung fourth set," he added.
Pablo led the way for Pocari with 22 points from 17 attacks and four blocks, while Palmer finished with 21 markers coming off 17 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.
Janisa Johnson had 35 points and 26 excellent receptions while Alexis Matthews added 16 markers for Balipure, which slipped to 1-2 for the round.
With a last match against the Tacloban Fighting Warays on June 23, Jimenez is guarding against overconfidence.
“Dapat naka-mindset kami na 'wag kami mag-overconfidence. Kailangan trabahuin,” he said.