MANILA, Philippines – How do you beat a team that featured a two-time NCAA MVP and a three-time NCAA MVP?

For the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, it boiled down to teamwork and trust, and in doing the "little things" that propelled them past the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders.

Bali Pure's tremendous star power – they had Alyssa Valdez and Grethcel Soltones, as well as several former Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in their line-up and former San Beda College standout Janine Marciano as well – made them a fan favorite in the V-League Season 13 Open Conference.

They went all the way to the semi-finals and were one game away from advancing to the championships as they swept Pocari Sweat in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

But the Lady Warriors, who won their first six games of the tournament, buckled down to work, and leaned on the impressive net defense of Michele Gumabao, Siemens Dadang, and Luth Malaluan, the floor defense of Mel Gohing, and the powerful attacks of Myla Pablo and Elaine Kasilag.

"Very strong team talaga (ang Bali Pure)," Pocari coach Rommel Abella said after the Lady Warriors had outlasted the Water Defenders in four sets to claim the Finals berth. "'Di namin tinatanggi 'yun."

"Buti na lang, sa amin kasi team eh," he added. "Team ang pinanlaban namin."

(READ: Pocari Sweat brings down BaliPure, grabs last Finals berth)

Abella acknowledged that Valdez – a three-time UAAP MVP – and Soltones – a two-time NCAA MVP – are superstars and tough to stop. Yet thanks to contributions from everyone in their team, they held the two spikers to a combined 34-point output in Game 3. Kasilag and Pablo, meanwhile, combined for 48 points.

"Kami, ang ginagawa namin, chip in, chip in sa contributions," Abella explained. "'Yun kasi ang kailangan eh. Kung 'di ka makapalo, contribute ka in some other aspects – sa block, sa receive. As a team namin pinanalo ang game na ito."

Pablo, who was named Player of the Game after scoring 26 points, stressed that their trust in one another was a major key in their win as well.

"May tiwala kami sa isa't isa," she said. "Lahat-lahat naman, gumana."

She specified Malaluan, who teamed up with Gumabao at the net to repeatedly frustrate Valdez and Soltones, as well as Kasilag, who came up with the clutch hits in the fourth set.

"Si Ate Luth, lagi naming sinasabihan 'yan na mag-focus ka lang sa blocking, and tutulungan ka namin. Si Elaine, andun siya for me. Pag sa harap siya, sa likod ako. 'Pag sa likod siya, bumabawi ako sa harap," Pablo explained.

Pablo also hailed the leadership of Gumabao, who called out her teammates after their Game 1 loss and continued to play despite an abdominal tear.

"Andoon si Ate Michele na naga-angat sa amin sa loob ng court," Pablo revealed.

Perhaps the player who best personified Pocari's teamwork and trust was Rossan Fajardo, who committed a service error in the opening set that allowed Bali Pure to take the frame. But she was sent back in at a crucial juncture in the fourth, and responded with back-to-back service aces to pave the way for their win.

"May tiwala talaga kami kay Rossan," Abella said. "Noong first set, nag-error siya, pero binulungan namin na pababawiin namin siya. Good thing, nag-pay off 'yung gamble namin. Actually, 'di na siya gamble kasi lagi naman naming ginagawa 'yun."

"Binigyan lang namin siya ng kumpyansa ulit," he added.

Even Bali Pure's player-coach, Charo Soriano, acknowledged that the Lady Warriors were the more solid team.

"They have been more of a team than we are, and they showed that today (Monday). It's a well-deserved win," she said.

It helped that Pocari's service reception – their waterloo for most of the tournament – held up in Game 3, and so they were able to give good passes to Gyzelle Sy, who in turn set up Pablo, Kasilag and Gumabao for easy attacks.

Pocari Sweat will be tested again in the Finals, where they will meet Air Force for the championship. The Lady Jet Spikers defeated them in straight sets in the eliminations, a game that saw the Lady Warriors' struggle with their first ball.

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

"Alam naman namin na fault namin 'yun," Pablo said of their loss to Air Force. "Pangit ang nilaro namin, wala kami masyadong receive na maganda and play. So kami naman, mag-focus kami sa service receive (vs. Air Force)."

The best-of-three Finals will start on July 13, when the V-League returns from its break following the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

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