CrownSPORTS nears V-League BaliPure sweeps Pocari,

MANILA – BaliPure make a quick work of Pocari Sweat 25- 22, 25-19, 25-22 in Game 1 of the 2017 Premier V-League Open Conference best-of-three finals at the San Juan Arena.

Aiko Urdas led the scoring for Water Defenders with 15 points, on 12 attacks and three blocks, on Saturday night. They are now a win away from their first franchise championship. Game 2 is Wednesday night.

Jerrilli Malabanan added 14 markers while Gretchel Soltones and Risa Sato combined for 18 points for BaliPure, which hopes to improve on its runner-up finish during the Reinforced Conference.

Water Defenders managed a 16-10 lead in the opening set on hits by Urdas and Soltones. Lady Warriors responded with a run to force a 22-all tie but hits by Angela Cayuna, Malabanan and Urdas allowed BaliPure to take a 1-0 set lead.

Pocari Sweat had a strong start in the second set 8-3 but Water Defenders slowly clawed its way back to take a 16-14 edge before continuing its run behind Urdas and Sato for a 2- 0 set advantage.

BaliPure quickly jumped to a 9-2 lead in the third set on back- to-back hits by Sato but Pocari rallied to come to within 19-18. Water Defenders was up 24-20 when Lady Warriors made its last push 24-22, but a hit by Sato ended the match.

“bata.

Ang ganda ng inilaro ng mga Aiko,” said BaliPure head coach

Maganda rin ang inilaro ni Roger Gorayeb. “heading into this series

Wala silang ibang manalo.” nasa isip

Elaine Kasilag finished with kundi ang 11 points while tournament MVP Myla Pablo and Jeanette Panaga had 9 points apiece for Pocari, which hopes to extend the series to a do-or-die Game 3 on Aug. 19./