The Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders locked in on the Creamline Cool Smashers’ best scorers through the sheer immensity of middle blocker Jennifer Keddy and their stellar floor defense, to secure a four-set win, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-21, in Game One of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Bali Pure had to quell Creamline in the first two sets. Ahead 16-13, Bali Pure slowly let Creamline inch ahead in the first set, ending with the Cool Smashers taking the set via a 4-1 run powered by three-time PVl MVP Alyssa Valdez.
The Water Defenders nearly collapsed in the following set, allowing Creamline to take a 23-21 lead after a Jema Galanza block on Grethcel Soltones. But from there, Keddy began her takeover, gathering two blocks to bolster Creamline’s 4-0 rally to end the set.
Keddy continued to dominate everywhere she went for the rest of the match. Blocking, serving, and attacking superbly, Keddy powered Bali Pure to decisive wins in the next two sets to seal the match.
The American collected a game-high 24 points with 13 attacks, five blocks, and six aces, while fellow middle hitter Risa Sato added 13 markers, which includes three stuffs at the net.
“I thought we player very well as a team. Everyone did their part,” said Bali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb. “Si Risa maganda ang ginalaw noong first set. Si Keddy grabe ‘yung blocking. Kailangan talaga namin sa kanya ‘yun lalo na kanina na may iniinda si Jeng [Bualee] na sakit sa right shoulder niya.”
Bali Pure kept their perfect record against Creamline with a third straight set win over the four seeds. The Water Defenders can close the best-of-three series out on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin led Creamline with 16 points while Valdez finished with just 12.
The Scores
Bali Pure (3) – Keddy 24, Sato 13, Soltones 11, Malabanan 9, Nabor 8, Buelee 5, Urdas 2, Pantone (L)
Creamline (1) – Kaewpin 16, Valdez 12, Galanza 10, Schaudt 7, Soriano 6, Cabanos 3, Remulla 2, Palad 0, Racraquin (L)
