BaliPure keeps semis hope alive with win over Adamson-Akari

Games Saturday

(Filoil Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – Air Force vs Megabuilders (m)

1 p.m. – Gamboa Coffee vs Army (m)

4 p.m. – Power Smashers vs UP (w)

6:30 p.m. – Adamson-Akari vs Hair Fairy Air Force (w)

MANILA, Philippines – BaliPure survived a stubborn Adamson-Akari challenge and eked out 25-18, 25-23, 19-25, 25-20 victory Wednesday to catch up with Perlas-BanKo at fourth spot and stay in the semifinal hunt in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Jerrili Malabanan, who plays college ball for Far Eastern University, fired a team-high 16 hits including 14 on kills while former three-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones struggled before finishing with 14 points as the Water Defenders nailed their third win in as many losses to tie the BanKo Spikers at No. 4.

The win also halted Bali Pure’s two-game losing streak following heartbreaking defeats to Hair Fairy Air Force, 25-23, 21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 11-15, on July 16 and Perlas-BanKo, 26-24, 25-13, 13-25, 22-25, 11-15, Saturday.

The Water Defenders can force at least a playoff for a semis berth if they could beat the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, the defending champions, in their duel on Sunday, the same day the BanKo Spikers collide with the undefeated Creamline Cool Smashers.

The playoff, if necessary, is on August 2 also at Filoil Arena.

“We knew before the game that we needed to win our last two games to have a chance of making the semis and I’m glad the girls responded to the challenge,” said Bali Pure coach Roger Gorayeb.

Setter Jasmine Nabor also came through with an all-around performance as she dished out 32 excellent sets while adding eight points, including a match-best four blocks while San Sebastian stalwart Iris Oliveros came in to pitch in eight hits, most of which came in the fourth set.

Filipino-Japanese Risa Sato chipped in 10 points.

The Lady Falcons fell to their fourth defeat in five outings and out of the semis hunt.

After dominating the opening set, Bali Pure nearly blew a 24-20 lead in the second set after Adamson Akari fought three set points to inch closer at 24-23.

But a service error by Louie Romero, a high school player from Kings Montessori, foiled the Lady Falcons’ bid and allowed the Water Defenders to take the set and a 2-0 lead.

Jema Galanza, who ended up with a match-high 18 points, stepped up in the third set as Adamson-Akari took the set to stay alive.

It turned out its last show of force as Bali Pure, led by Malabanan, Nabor, Oliveros and Soltones, took charge in the fourth set to seal the win.