V-League Game 2 semis previews
by rick olivares
Bali Pure and Pocari Sweat are
one match away from forging a finals showdown for the Reinforced Conference
championship of the Shakely’s V-League.
Both sides repeated their preliminary
round victories over Bureau of Customs and the University of Santo Tomas
respectively with three-set sweeps in Game One of the semi-finals.
In the Bali Pure-BOC tussle, the
Transformers had all sorts of reception problems that saw them unable to launch
a lot of set plays. Team captain Alyssa Valdez scattered her 15 points and was
hardly a factor in the match as Bali Pure, her former team, had her number. The
Purest Water Defenders saw several players contribute mightily to their
one-game advantage. Amy Ahomiro, Charo Soriano, Sue Roces, and Ella De Jesus
provided massive support to Kate Morrell and Kaylee Manns.
For the other semis match-up, UST
had to contend with the huge game from the middle hitter position by Andrea
Kacsits who had her best game of the tournament. Wary of Breanna Mackie and
Myla Pablo from the open and utility positions and with the ever present threat
of Michelle Gumabao, Kacsits was the x-factor – blocking shots and providing
scoring sock in the middle.
What must BOC do to get back in the series?
In my opinion, two things. One, head
coach Sherwin Meneses has to work on his team’s reception. Ironically, that is
supposed to be his specialty. And BaliPure has generally also had problems
receiving. And two, he has to dig deep into his bench. I believe that he should
start Fenela Emnas at the setter position over Nic Jaisaen and try others like
Jonah Corpuz in the middle. Emnas gave a very good account of herself in BOC’s
first two matches including the win over Laoag where Valdez broke the single
game scoring record with 39 points.
Jaisaen as good as the guest
player is, tends to set only for certain players and forgets she has other
teammates. Furthermore, her service is terrible and her confidence has gone
down.
What must UST do to get back in the series?
This team is better than what it
has showed. Sure, they are having problems with Pocari’s tall frontline. That
is where the playmaking by Alex Cabanos and Alina Bicar come in to play. They
have to make better and quicker decisions in shifting around the Lady Warriors’
defense.
As we pointed out in our
semi-finals preview, the issue with the Golden Tigresses isn’t talent. They are
a deep team loaded with talent. It’s the mental fortitude that is lacking. When
they get down, they tend to stay down.
Take a look when things go wrong,
the players all look to the bench. Not only for answers but also because in
fear of what their coaches will say to them.
This team won a University Games
title just recently. You know they are good. They just have to bring it every
day, every game.
This V-League conference should
help them for the UAAP season; not break them.
Today’s (November 7) matches at
the Philsports Arena:
Pocari Sweat vs. UST 4pm
BaliPure vs. Bureau of Customs
6pm
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