MANILA, Philippines – The BaliPure National University Purest Water Defenders look to bounce back from an opening day four-set loss to Philippine Navy-Iriga in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference when they take on the PetroGazz Angels on Wednesday.
The Purest Water Defenders lined up only middle hitter Alexis Mathews as its only reinforcement as American compatriot Janisa Johnson had to complete her paperwork prior to the last match. Although Mhicaela Belen and Princess Robles played well (17 and 15 points respectively) to backstop Mathews’ 15 points, the youth and inexperience at this level was evident on BaliPure NU.
The team, with its bevy of young stars who are just moving up from the high school level, are giving up an average of eight years or more to the veteran players of other squads. Only Roma Doromal, Rose Doria and Audrey Paran have had PVL experience (outside the collegiate conference) and they played sparingly with Pocari Sweat last season.
BaliPure NU will also finally have the services of open hitter Faith Nisperos, who was unavailable due to an ankle injury sustained two weeks ago.
“Not being able to play is killing me,” muttered Nisperos from the sidelines during the PVL opener. “I want to help but I cannot at the moment.”
Nisperos though still has one more year of senior high to play for NU in Season 81.
Speaking of young players, others in the youth movement of the Purest Water Defenders’ roster include setter Joyme Cagande, libero Jennifer Nierva, Alyssa Solomon and ivy Lacsina.
“You know how in basketball, sometimes young teams play much older teams para matuto,” noted BaliPure NU coach Babes Castillo, who steered the Lady Bulldogs to the inaugural PVL Collegiate Conference last season. “This is the same scenario. The girls learn. But we aren’t here to lose. We are also here to win. Winning is a mindset, a habit, and a culture that we want.”
Now on its third year (including the first in the old Shakey’s V-League), BaliPure has had two third place finishes and two finals berths including the Open Conference championship.
“Would you say that we’d like to keep up our streak of advancing to the semi-finals or higher,” wondered team consultant Gil Cortez. “We’d like too but we’re also realistic. This is a much different team than any of our previous incarnations. It’s certainly talented, but younger; much younger. And still in need of experience in this higher level. But they have a good pedigree so we know they will compete. And that is all you ever ask.”
The bulk of the original lineup from three years ago is now with the Banko Perlas Spikers (with Alyssa Valdez starring in Creamline) as is head coach Anusorn Bundit. Last year’s edition is with PayMaya along with head coach Roger Gorayeb.
“When we formed this third version of BaliPure, we are looking at a longer relationship rather than change teams every season. And we are excited in this partnership with NU and Coach Babes and his girls,” exclaimed Cortez.
The Purest Water Defenders will go up against the 0-2 PetroGazz Angels, whose squad is a hybrid of recent La Salle and College of St. Benilde champion squads, including Stephanie Mercado, Chie Saet, Ranya Musa and Djanel Cheng among others. Their reinforcements are Kadi Kullerkann and Anastasiia Trach.