By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
1 p.m. – IEM vs Vice Co (Men’s)
4 p.m. – BaliPure-NU vs BanKo-Perlas (Women’s)
6:30 p.m. – Iriga-Navy vs Pocari-Air Force (Women’s)
BaliPure-National University tries to extend its winning streak to three games when it clashes with BanKo-Perlas today in the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Water Defenders, backstopped by high school phenom Faith Nisperos, Joye Cagande, Michaela Belen and Rosielyn Doria, also seeking a share of the lead with the Creamline Cool Smashers and the PayMaya High Flyers.
After an opening-game loss to Iriga-Navy, BaliPure gathered its momentum and dominated its next opponents, PetroGazz (22-25, 25-23, 28-26, 22-25, 15-12) and Tacloban (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22) to improve to 2-1 at solo second.
The Water Defenders are expected to ride on that momentum with coach Babes Castillo leaning on his power-hitting imports Janisa Johnson and Alexis Matthews.
In their triumph over Tacloban, the foreign duo conspired for 50 points including combined 41 attacks and eight blocks.
Castillo, however, hopes more support will come from his local players after none scored in double figures the last time.
BanKo-Perlas, meanwhile, is coming off the opposite direction after dropping its last three assignments to slip at 1-3.
In their recent loss to the PetroGazz Angels three days back, the Perlas Spikers squandered a two-set advantage for a 15-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-9 loss.
BanKo-Perlas mentor Ariel Dela Cruz still believes his stalwarts will regain their old form, with guest players Jutarat Montripila and Lakia Bright out to make statements.
