BUREAU of Customs played without an import in its first couple of games, fell behind by one game in the semifinals of the Shakey's V-League Reinforced Conference.
Alyssa Valdez and Co., however, simply can't be denied.
Regaining its composure after wasting a two-set lead, BoC beat Bali Pure, 25-21, 25-16, 24-26, 8-25, 15-8, in Game Three on Wednesday for the right to face Pocari Sweat in a best-of-three finals.
The Transformers recovered from a demoralizing fourth set and immediately took a 7-2 lead in the fifth set after Valdez, energized after getting a much-needed rest, drove a spike through two Bali Pure blockers.
“Mahirap eh kasi noong una pa lang talagang hindi na mabuo ang team agad, accept lang ng challenge talaga tapos trabahuhin lang ng mabuti,” said BoC coach Sherwin Meneses.
Thai import Kanjana Kuthaisong paced BoC with 20 points while Valdez added 16 markers and 17 digs. Rose Marie Vargas chipped in 13 and Lilet Mabbayad came up with 10, including the game-winning attack.
“Syempre ang Bali Pure lalaban at lalaban ‘yan, tinalo nga kami ng dalawang beses na straight sets,” said Meneses. “Hindi naman kami nagkumpyansa, gumanda lang talaga ang laro nila.”
The Transformers recovered from a demoralizing fourth set and immediately took a 7-2 lead in the fifth set after Valdez, energized after getting a much-needed rest, drove a spike through two Bali Pure blockers.
Valdez and Kuthaisong were pulled out late in the fourth set to save their energy for the decider and the ploy worked.
“Hindi naman namin binigay (ang fourth set), pinagpahinga lang namin (sina Valdez at Kuthaisong) kasi medyo malayo ang score eh. Harap at likod pagod sila so nag-work naman kahit papano,” he added.
“Binigyan kami ni coach ng time makita kung ano ang nasa loob to meditate and to see kung ano ang ginagawa ng Bali Pure na tama and to adjust going to the fifth set,” said Valdez.
“It worked naman, it worked really well.”
American import Kate Morrell made 24 points for Bali Pure, while Amy Ahomiro added 10. The Purest Water Defenders will face University of Santo Tomas in a best-of-three battle for third.