BaliPure eyes semis versus Creamline

Games today:

1 p.m. – Cafe Lupe vs IEM

4 p.m. – Power Smashers vs Air Force

6:30 p.m. – BaliPure vs Creamline

MANILA, Philippines - BaliPure shoots for the first semis berth as it takes on a struggling Creamline side today while the Power Smashers try to sustain their charge against Air Force in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Water Defenders regained the solo lead after surviving the Perlas Spikers in five last Sunday to hike their record to 6-2. They only need to win one of their last two games in the double round elims to secure one of the two automatic semis berths in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

The other four teams will start from scratch and dispute the last two Final Four seats in a round robin quarters phase.

American middle blocker Jennifer Keddy and veteran Thai import Jaroensri Bualee are again expected to spearhead BaliPure’s charge along with Grethcel Soltones, Risa Sato and Aiko Urdas as they slug it out with the Cool Smashers in the 6:30 p.m. main game.

Meanwhile, Creamline, bannered by American Laura Schaudt and Thai Kuttika Kaewpin and local ace Alyssa Valdez, tries to recover lost grounds after dropping a five-setter to the Power Smashers, also last Sunday.

In the other match at 4 p.m., the Kannika Thipachot and Hyapha Amporn-backstopped Power Smashers aim to stay in the race for a Top 2 finish as they collide with the hapless Lady Jet Spikers, who remain in the cellar with a 1-7 card.