Balipure, Pocari slam foes

Games Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan City)
1 p.m. – Air Force vs Army (m)
4 p.m. – PetroGazz vs Tacloban (w)
6:30 p.m. – Iriga-Navy vs Pocari-Air Force (w)

BaliPure-National University and Pocari Sweat-Air Force survived their respective rivals on Saturday night to start their campaign for the remaining semifinal seats in the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Water Defenders squeaked past the stubborn Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons, 25-17, 18-25, 20-25, 26-24, 18-16, while the Lady Jet Spikers edged the PetroGazz Angels, 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-21, at the start of the round-robin phase among six teams.

Janisa Johnson paced BaliPure anew with 27 points built on 22 kills, three blocks and two aces, even Alexis Matthews chipped in 14 hits and five blocks for 19 points.

While the two imports held the team together throughout with their consistent plays, it was Mhicaela Belen and Rose Doria who sealed the win for the Water Defenders with back-to-back points.

Belen and Doria finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively, outshining the efforts of Macy Ubben and Lauren Whyte, who had 32 and 23 points for Iriga-Navy.

Ariel Love and Myla Pablo, meanwhile, steered Pocari with combined 41 points. (Kristel Satumbaga)