MANILA, Philippines – Elaine Kasilag came up with the most powerful hits down the stretch as the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors downed the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders in four sets to claim the second and last spot in the Finals of the Shakey's V-League Season 13 Open Conference.

In front of a respectable weekday crowd at the Philsports Arena on Monday, the Lady Warriors overcame another slow start to come away with a 15-25, 27-25, 25-11, 25-23 victory and win their best-of-three semifinals series, 2-1.

With the win, they set up a championship showdown with the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, who swept the Laoag Power Smashers in their own semi-finals series last Saturday.

READ: Jet Spikers land first-ever finals appearance

Kasilag finished the game with 22 points, including Poocari's last four attack points, while Myla Pablo had a game-high 26 points on 22 attacks and four blocks as they combined to outplay Bali Pure's celebrated MVP tandem of Alyssa Valdez and Grethcel Soltones.

"Very strong team sila, 'di naman natin tinatanggi 'yun," said Pocari coach Rommel Abella of Bali Pure after the game. "Buti na lang, sa amin kasi, team eh. Team ang pinanlaban namin."

Bali Pure cruised to victory in the first set, withstanding a last-ditch Pocari rally to claim a comfortable 25-15 win, with Pablo helping the Water Defenders along as she committed two attack errors late in the frame.

But the Lady Warriors bounced back with a gutsy win in the second set, wherein they saved one set point and used their tremendous net defense to frustrate the Water Defenders.

"Ganun naman eh, parang trademark namin ang slow start," Abella admitted. "Ang tawag nga sa amin ay diesel team dahil parang ang tagal namin mag-init. Good thing na nakabawi kami agad, and nagtuloy-tuloy ang offense namin."

Pocari trailed 20-21 in the second set after a mishit by Kasilag, but she and Pablo combined to score back-to-back kills that put the Lady Warriors up, 22-21, only for Amy Ahomiro's quick kill to knot the frame anew at 22. It would be a back-and-forth set from that point on, though Pocari reached set point first on a crosscourt kill by Michele Gumabao.

A surprise drop by Bali Pure setter Jem Ferrer tied the set at 24, and Janine Marciano's kill put the Water Defenders at set point, 25-24. However, the Lady Warriors scored the final three points of the frame, starting with Gumabao's attack swiped off the fingers of Valdez.

The Lady Warriors' net defense then took center stage, with Gumabao and Lutgarda Malaluan combining to deny Valdez, and then Marciano in consecutive rallies to claim the hard-fought win in the second set.

"Si Ate Lut, lagi naming sinasabihan 'yan na mag-focus lang siya sa blocking, and tutulungan ka namin," said Pablo.

Pocari cruised to victory in the third, with Bali Pure's net and floor defense falling apart behind a storm of attacks from Pablo and Kasilag.

"Si Elaine, andun siya for me," Pablo said. "'Pag sa harap siya, likod ako. Pag sa likod siya, bumabawi ako sa harap. Ganoon lang kami ni Elaine."

It appeared as though Bali Pure would force a decider as they raced to a 9-4 lead in the fourth set, but Pocari had other ideas as Pablo again came up big offensively to help the Lady Warriors take a 16-15 advantage.

Strong serves from Valdez, combined with another hitting error by Pablo, allowed Bali Pure to take a 19-16 advantage, but Pocari was able to claw their way back thanks to Rossan Fajardo, who came off the bench to fire two aces – both times off Valdez's hands.

"May tiwala talaga kami kay Rossan," said Abella.

Back-to-back kills by Kasilag put Pocari up 23-21, but a service error by Gumabao kept Bali Pure in the game, 22-23. Kasilag would not be denied, however, smashing a kill off the Bali Pure blockers to put Pocari at match point. After Valdez's drop shot trimmed the deficit to one point once more, Kasilag scored her 18th attack point of the match to wrap up the contest in an hour and 46 minutes.

"Sobrang saya kasi 'yung hirap ng training namin, nasuklian. Nasa Finals kami dahil sa team work lang," said Pablo. "May tiwala kami sa isa't isa… Actually, lahat-lahat naman, gumana."

Soltones had 19 points, all on attacks, to lead the Water Defenders, while Valdez had 15 points but converted only 14 of her 45 attack attempts. The Lady Warriors had 11 blocks against only five for Bali Pure. Pocari also had more aces, 5-3.

Pocari now advances to play the Jet Spikers in the Finals that will start on July 13, when the league returns from its break to make way for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Air Force swept Pocari when they met in the elimination round.

"Siyempre mag-focus kami, kasi tinalo nila kami sa serve and receive," said Abella. "Mag-focus kami sa receive, and hopefully, mag-start kami ng mas maganda. Sana ang energy namin from the start, mataas na agad."

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