By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The BaliPure Water Defenders just shocked the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after taking down the undefeated Cherry Tiggo Crossovers in a five-set classic thriller, 19-25, 25-19, 13-25, 27-25, 15-12.
Entered as the heavy underdogs against a Jaja Santiago-led volleyball squad, the Water Defenders showed grit and determination and was able to match the Crossovers’ firepower.
Grazielle Bombita was spectacular for BaliPure after pouring in 24 huge points including crucial scores in the deciding set.
Leading by just two points, 12-10, in the fifth set, the soaring Bombita scored a vicious spike that put them up by three points.
Bern Flora chipped in 16 points for the Water Defenders while their setter Alina Bicar had a stellar performance of 24 excellent sets and 22 digs.
“Siyempre sobrang saya namin kasi pinaghandaan namin sa training pa lang kahapon, we had a film viewing. At least maganda yung napakita, nagtranslate talaga sa laro kung ano man yung usapan namin kahapon,” said BaliPure head coach John Abella.
Cherry Tiggo looked dominant in the first half of the duel as Dindin Santiago-Manabat and her sister Jaja were all over the place, punishing the thin BaliPure middle defenders.
However, Bombita’s hot offensive run starting the third set sparked the whole BaliPure team and started to flip the switch for their first tournament win of the season.
