American import Janisa Johnson blasted 31 big points to help the Bali Pure-National University Water Defenders outlast the Petro Gazz Angels, 22-25, 25-23, 28-26, 22-25, 15-12, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Johnson, fresh from two club campaigns in France, notched her 31 points off 27 attacks and four aces, three of which clinched the third set.
Bali Pure — who deploy players from the four-time UAAP Girls Volleyball champions NSNU — looked like a veteran squad in the fifth set. Princess Robles delivered a smash off two blockers to give the Water Defenders a commanding 13-9 lead. With Petro Gazz threatening to make a late push, Bali Pure capped the match with a combination play for Johnson.
“The addition of Johnson is really a big help. We needed someone to take on a big offensive role and she delivered,” said Bali Pure head coach Babes Castillo. “You can see that she’s played two consecutive leagues before this one because she had a few faults towards the end. But, I like the way she played.”
Robles managed 17 points, while American middle blocker Alexis Matthews added 15.
Anastasiia Trach led the Angels with 22 markers while Kadi Kullerkann added 21.
The Water Defenders (1-1) take on the Tacloban Fighting Warays (1-1) on Saturday at Batangas. Petro Gazz (0-3) try for their first win on Sunday against BanKo-Perlas (1-1).
The Scores
Bali Pure-NU (3) – Johnson 31, Robles 17, Matthews 15, Doria 9, Belen 3, Solomon 3, Cagande 2, Doromal 2, Lacsina 1, Paran 1, Nierva (L)
Petro Gazz (2) – Trach 22, Kullerkann 21, Austero 10, Musa 5, Mercado 4, Saet 2, Mendrez 1, Tiu 0, Cruz (L), Enclona (L)
