Bali Pure Purest Water Defender Jerrili Malabanan earned the Philips Gold-PVL Press Corps Player of the Week for games played from July 26-30.
The Water Defenders bagged a fourth straight Top Four appearance in the league, thanks to the splendid showing of Malabanan.
In Bali Pure’s 25-21, 25-16, 25-23 conquest of defending champion Pocari Sweat on Sunday, Malabanan took the scoring mantle with 14 points and collected eight digs.
Taking a back seat in the Far Eastern University, Malabanan has grown as the Water Defenders’ third offensive option after Grethcel Soltones and Risa Sato in the Open Conference, scoring 86 points on 73 spikes, 10 service aces and three blocks.
Bali Pure finished fourth with a 4-3 card in the eliminations and will take on unbeaten the Creamline Cool Smashers in the best-of-three semifinals starting on Saturday.
Malabanan credited coach Roger Gorayeb for keeping the Water Defenders’ emotions in check.
“When we enjoy ourselves, coach always tells us that it’s good we’re enjoying but we have to stay calm and focused. He’s the one that calms us down,” said the 21-year-old BS Biology student-athlete.
Malabanan bested the Cool Smashers’ Cesca Racraquin and Jia Morado for the weekly honor.
