Nicole Tiamzon and the BanKo Perlas Spikers made quick work of the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders, 25-18, 25-19, 25-21, in the PVL Reinforced Conference Season 3, Wednesday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“Were hungry to win talaga and makapasok ng semis kasi nung first round parang 50:50 talaga. Although [hanggang ngayon] hindi pa talaga sure, but we need to double time,” BanKo team captain Tiamzon said.
Whoever loses in the battle for third will have a playoff for the last semis spot on Sunday against Motolite, who currently hold a 3-6 win-loss record. This is, however, if and only if Motolite score an upset victory over league-leaders Petro Gazz. In a scenario where Motolite succumb to the Angels, both BanKo and PacificTown-Town will head into the Final Four.
“We can’t afford na maging complacent. Ang hirap umasa sa panalo or talo ng ibang kalaban. So kahit ano man yung bigay sa amin, kailangan namin paghirapan talaga, whether it’s third or fourth place,” Tiamzon added.
Up by just a solitary point at 22-21, Tiamzon carried the scoring cudgels in the fourth set to put the game away for good. She finished the match with 19 points.
BanKo reinforcement Sutadta Chuewulim had 12 markers to go along 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent reception. Fellow import Yasemin Yildrim managed nine markers spiked by four blocks and two aces.
Jem Ferrer tossed 21 excellent sets to power BanKo’s offense as the Perlas Spikers out-spiked the Water Defenders, 38-33. Kathy Bersola and Dzi Gervacio added eight and seven markers, respectively.
“We all have our own functions inside the court. Kahit sino naman pwede bigyan, lalo na ‘pag mga ganyan, kailangan mo talaga mag-contribute para ma-close yung game,” Tiamzon stated.
On the other hand, Bali Pure fell to a 0-9 slate.
Only two Water Defenders graced double-digit territory in imports Alexa Vajdova and Danijela Dzakovic.
Vajdova scored 13 points – off 11 attacks and two aces – to go along 16 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs for a volleyball triple-double that went down the drain. Dzakovic had 12 points from nine attacks and three blocks.
The Perlas Spikers inched closer to the Final Four, as they improved to a 4-5 slate. They force a two-way logjam for the third and fourth spots together with the PacificTown-Army, who also hold an identical 4-5 slate. Both teams will face off on Saturday to secure solo third.
The Water Defenders will try to salvage a win in their last elimination round game on Thursday, when they face the Creamline Cool Smashers at the FilOil Arena.
