BaliPure's imports doubtful for V-League match vs UST

MANILA, Philippines – The problems that hounded Bureau of Customs in the facilitating of their imports is the same problem plaguing BaliPure right now, according to BP team manager Gil Cortez.

On the eve of its first match in the Reinforced Conference of the Shakey’s V-League against the University of Santo Tomas, the Purest Water Defenders aren’t sure if setter Kaylee Manns and outside hitter Kate Morrell will be able to suit up.

The two teams are set to play at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Philsports Arena.

In a communique between BaliPure’s assistant team manager Paolo Turno and the staff assigned by Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Vice President Peter Cayco to handle all the transfers of local and foreign players Friday morning, BaliPure’s profile and account in the Volleyball Information System for the ongoing tournament has been deleted. This has affected the status of their American reinforcements.

The email address of the LVPI person attending to the transfers was changed to another email. Apparently, the account is owned and managed by another person with ties to the volleyball scene.

“We are very disappointed at what is going on,” said Cortez, who was the first ever Philippine Basketball Association Rookie of the Year in 1976 with Toyota.

Cortez who also oversees the Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association made no effort to hide his disappointment.

“We have complied with the necessary work and paid whatever fees need paying to facilitate this. That this is happening to several clubs is no coincidence. We ask that LVPI investigate this immediately. All we want to do is play volleyball,” he added.

The Purest Water defenders are already without Alyssa Valdez, who is now with the Bureau of Customs team while the SVL Open Conference Most Valuable Player Gretchel Soltones and libero Alyssa Eroa signed with Laoag.

Opposite hitter Janine Marciano is now with Cignal. Should Manns and Morrell be unavailable, it will hurt BaliPure that only picked up middle hitter Sue Roces and hitter Sasa Devanadera to boost its roster. The holdovers from BaliPure’s first stint in the SVL include former playing coach Charo Soriano, Angeline Gervacio, Jem Ferrer, Mae Tajima and Denden Lazaro.

As of posting time, the new volleyball club has reached out to LVPI for assistance on this matter.