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[av_heading heading=’Pocari Sweat, Tigresses share V-League top spot ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – With a 25-16, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19 win over the Bali Pure Water Defenders, the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors moved up to share the top spot in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
With the Lady Warriors’ fifth consecutive victory, it claimed a share of the No.1 spot with the Golden Tigresses, both boasting a 5-1 win-loss slate. The two squads are set to break the tie in their matchup next week.
Errors by the Water Defenders early in the opening set allowed the Lady Warriors to build a 10-3 lead on back-to-back hits by Michelle Gumabao and Myla Pablo. The Water Defenders rallied to within 13-11 but hits by Breanna Mackie extended the lead to 16-12.
The Water Defenders kept it close anew at 16-13 but conversions by Andrea Kacsits, Desiree Dadang and Pablo widened the lead to 23-15. Errors by the Water Defenders gave the Lady Warriors the first set.
After dropping the second set, the Lady Warriors came back stronger in the third with a 6-1 start before settling for an 8-5 edge. The Lady Warriors increased the lead to 16-9 behind Gumabao, Iris Tolenada and Mackie.
The Water Defenders made another run to come to within 18-15, but back-to-back hits by Gumabao followed by a crosscourt hit courtesy of Pablo extended the Lady Warriors lead to 22-17. A hit by Mackie followed by an ace by Tolenada gave the set to the Lady Warriors.
Errors by the Water Defenders starting the fourth set allowed the Lady Warriors to build a 6-1 lead but the former quickly responded and kept the game close to cut the lead to 16-13.
The Water Defenders, however, committed more unforced turnovers which the Lady Warriors took advantage for a 21-17 edge. After the Water Defenders cut the deficit to 21-19, Pablo and Kacsits conspired for four straight points to seal the win.
The defeat snapped the four-game winning run of the Water Defenders, which slid down to tie with the Bureau of Customs Transformers with a 4-2 slate. The Water Defenders will next face the bottom-dwelling Philippine Coast Guard Lady Dolphins (0-6)./PN
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(Cavs photo)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) lords over Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic during their NBA basketball game on Saturday in Cleveland. AP
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