Bali Pure drags Creamline to do-or-die

Rather than crumbling, the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders shone in another five-set encounter against the Creamline Cool Smashers, keeping their Women’s Open Conference Finals hopes alive with a rousing 25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 15-13 win at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Trading sets with Creamline just like in Game One, the Water Defenders mustered a strong finishing rally. With the lead swinging to both sides, Bali Pure got their noses ahead, 12-11, thanks to a Jerrili Malabanan hit. Jasmine Nabor then gave the Water Defenders their much-needed cushion, stuffing Rose Vargas for a 13-11 gap. Following a Macy Mendiola service error, Malabanan powered in another smash for set point. Risa Sato then came in to finish the match with a thunderous quick hit.

Bali Pure built their win on blocks, piling up 13 to Creamline’s six. Aiko Urdas topped the Water Defenders’ balanced scoring with 19 points. Malabanan finished with 15, while Grethcel Soltones added 12.

“Pasalamat ako kasi talagang lumaban ‘yung mga player ko,” said Bali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb.

“Gusto ng tapusin ng Creamline, gusto din namin manalo. Last game, kasalanan namin ‘yung pagkatalo namin. Ngayon, pinakita namin na kaya naming bumawi. Pinakita nila na deserve din nila na pumunta ng Finals,” said the V-League’s only triple crown champion.

Adamson University standout Pau Soriano led Creamline with 19 points, while Cesca Racraquin added 14.

With a win on Wednesday, Bali Pure can enter their second straight PVL Finals. The Water Defenders became the only team to beat Creamline this season, so far.

The Scores

Bali Pure (3) – Urdas 19, Malabanan 15, Soltones 12, Sato 10, Nabor 6, Mendiola 5, Cayuna 0, Oliveros 0, Singh 0, Pantone (L)

Creamline (2) – Soriano 19, Racraquin 14, Vargas 10, Mandapat 9, Pabayo 6, Morado 3, Bravo 2, Remulla 2, Cabanos 0, Patnongon 0, Suyat 0, Nunag (L)