An ‘underwomanned’ Bali Pure Water Defenders brushed off the first-set loss and finished off the Iriga City Lady Oragons, 18-25 25-18, 25-13, 25-21, to snare their second consecutive victory in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Water Defenders were without coaches Charo Soriano and Alexa Micek, and Bea Tan (due to BVR commitments), Ella de Jesus and Jem Ferrer (schedule conflict), and Alyssa Valdez (conditioning) for this game.
“So nag-start kagabi nung tumawag si Charo, in-emphasize ko na mag-adjust kami na kung lang makakarating kelangan niya mag-adjust sa position niya,” acting Bali Pure head coach Ayo Toyco shared. “Si Denden [Lazaro] ginawa kong service and defensive specialist. Si Alyssa [Eroa] libero talaga at nag-all out siya sa laro na ito.”
The Lady Oragons mounted an early 8-3 lead that fuelled their momentum to clinch the frame. NCAA Season 91 best server Shola Alvarez fired off six points in the opener for Iriga City, before setter Shyrra Cabriana took the first for their team off a drop shot.
However, Bali Pure pounced on the poor reception of the Iriga City spikers and utilized this to pull off consecutive victories in the second and third sets. Former Ateneo setter Karla Bello utilized ace attacker Grethcel Soltones to the fullest, as the reigning NCAA MVP carried the cudgels for the Water Defenders.
“Nanggigigil talaga mga open namin. Sabi ko sa kanila 70 percent lang muna tapos itodo na lang pag patapos na,” Toyco added.
“Sabi ko hanapin lang nila yung momentum at range nila. Pag nakuha nila yun okay na.”
Iriga City attempted to keep the game close in the fourth set and even tied the game at 21 after a Karen Levina attack. However, Soltones broke the deadlock with a smart push, before Amy Ahomiro and Dzi Gervacio emphatically closed the match and sealed the win.
“Malaking factor ang experience,” the mentor added. “Kaso kulang talaga yung training kaya malaking adjustments talaga ang ginawa namin.”
Bali Pure dominated on attacks and service aces with 45 kills and 12 aces.
Soltones powered the Water Defenders with 22 points, 18 coming fom attacks. Bello had a great job with 26 excellent sets.
For the Lady Oragons, both Grazielle Bombita and Alvarez both finished with 12 points.
The Water Defenders will try to continue their winning run against the Laoag City Lady Warriors next Wednesday, June 15 at 4:00pm. On the other hand, the Lady Oragons will attempt to bounce back against the National University Lady Bulldogs on Monday, June 13 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
Bali Pure (3) – Soltones 22, Marciano 12, Ahomiro 11, Gervacio 6, Bello 5, Tajima 4, Agbayani 0, Lazaro 0, Eroa (L).
Iriga City (1) – Bombita 12, Alvarez 12, Eniong 5, Levina 4, Faurillo 3, Guab 2, Co 1, Mondragon 1, Lana 0, Pacino (L), Buenaventura (L).
