MANILA, Philippines – Pocari Sweat and Bali Pure slug it out for one last time in what promises to be another thrilling showdown for the last berth in the championship of the Shakey's V-League Season 13 Open Conference Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Already in the Finals are the Air Force Jet Spikers, but Pocari forced a do-or-die game for the second spot in the title round after a thrilling 25-23, 13-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-8 over the Water Defenders last Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.

Game time is at 6 p.m.

(READ: Jet Spikers land first-ever finals appearance)

Myla Pablo unloaded a game-high 26 points on 23 attack points, upstaging Alyssa Valdez, who had 24 points built on 20 hits and three aces.

Pocari's net defense was superb all game long, with Siemens Dadang and Lutgarda Malaluan combining for seven of the Lady Warriors' 10 blocks, foiling and frustrating three-time UAAP MVP Valdez.

"We knew Bali Pure's strong points are their outside spikers, so we focused on a way to slow them down," said Pocari coach Rommel Abella. "In a way, it worked against Alyssa. We stopped her in the fifth set."

Abella also cited their team's big improvement in service and reception, a massive turnaround from their 20-25, 19-25, 24-26 defeat in Game 1 where they struggled in both departments, enabling the Water Defenders to fashion out the relatively one-sided victory.

"We concentrated on improving our service and receives, and we will need to do it in Game 3 for us to have a chance," said Abella.

Despite the setback, Bali Pure player-coach Charo Soriano remains upbeat of their chances, but stressed the need for her wards to go back to the basics.

"We need to work a lot on our service and receives. That's why our setters couldn't do combination plays, because we couldn't bring the ball to Jem (Ferrer)," said Soriano. "We go back to the basics. It's really the fundamentals."

Valdez must also find a way to neutralize the Pocari blockers, led by the veteran Dadang.

"I wasn't really frustrated. It's already given that, as a player, I should think in a snap what I'll do during circumstances like that," said Valdez. "But I wasn't able to adjust in time."

"Hopefully, we – not just myself – will find a way in Game 3," she added.

The Lady Jet Spikers swept the Laoag Power Smashers to advance to the finals on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Cignal and Air Force open their best-of-three series for the Spikers' Turf Season 2 Open Conference crown as they face off at 4 p.m.

(READ: Cignal, Air Force set Finals series showdown)

The HD Spikers turned back the Sta. Elena Construction Wrecking Balls, 25-23, 25-16, 25-17, while the Jet Spikers routed the IEM Phoenix Volley Masters, 25-15, 25-21, 25-13, to complete the two-game sweep of their respective of their semifinals series.

Sta. Elena and IEM duel for third place at 1 p.m.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)