After outlasting Creamline in five sets in Game Two, destiny seemed to have sided with the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders, as they ousted the Cool Smashers in three sets, 25-22, 27-25, 25-23, to advance to Women’s Open Conference Finals on Wednesday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“Di ko ine-expect na tatlong set lang. Siyempre, ang expectation ko manalo kami,” said Bali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb about the surprising sweep. “Regardless kung ilang set, manalo, you go to the Finals, yun ang importante sa akin.”
Far Eastern University standout Jerrili Malabanan towed Bali Pure with 15 markers, while Aiko Urdas and Grethcel Soltones had 13 and 12 points respectively. Jasmin Nabor glued things together for Creamline with 44 excellent sets to go along with three points.
Creamline were without ace spiker Alyssa Valdez once more. Moreover, their head coach Tai Bundit was rushed to the hospital 30 minutes prior to the game due to an illness.
Even with the win, Gorayeb acknowledged that Creamline are a tough opponent with or without Valdez.
“Siyempre, Alyssa, if she was inside, minimum of 20 points. If she’s playing good, 25, 29 nung talunin kami noon. We do not look at it as wala si Alyssa,” the V-League’s only triple-crown champion shared. “We have to play to the best of our ability. Di ko tinuturo sa kanila yun. With or without Alyssa, nahirapan kami sa loob e.”
And Bali Pure needed to outlast Creamline in a grueling second set to take the advantage. However, it came at the expense of backup libero Alyssa Eroa, who injured herself during the frame.
Once the Purest Water Defenders were able to do so, last conference’s runners-up raced to a 21-17 lead in the third set.
A service error by Jia Morado gave Bali Pure match point, 24-21. Creamline tried to attempt one last rally, though, as a crosscourt kill by Rose Marie Vargas and an attack error by Aiko Urdas sliced the lead to just a solitary point. But Bali Pure were not to be denied, as a quick attack by Risa Sato booked Bali Pure’s ticket to the finals.
“Si Risa, kahit wala masyadong pinuntos, yung pinakahuling palo yung pinakaimportante,” said Gorayeb about his former player at the National University.
Pau Soriano paced Creamline with 13 markers, while Vargas chipped in nine.
Bali Pure will take on the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in a best-of-three finals series starting on Saturday, August 12.
The Scores:
Bali Pure (3) – Malabanan 15, Soltones 13, Urdas 12, Sato 7, Mendiola 5, Nabor 3, Pantone (L), Eroa (L).
Creamline (0) – Soriano 13, Vargas 9, Mandapat 8, Racraquin 7, Balse 5, Morado 2, Remulla 1, Bravo 1, Suyat 1, Cabanos 0, Nunag (L), Ibisa (L).
