Water Defenders repulse P Smashers

MANILA, Philippines -  Jerrili Malabanan continued to dish out top form while Grethcel Soltones produced a superb all-around game as BaliPure rallied to score another come-from-behind 17-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-22 victory over the Power Smashers to wrest the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Malabanan and Soltones combined for 35 hits with the explosive BaliPure duo taking charge in the fourth that saw the Water Defenders fight back from 10-15 down to frustrate the Power Smashers and notch their second straight victory.

Malabanan, who came up with 12 hits in BaliPure’s 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 triumph over Air Force last Sunday, strung seven points in the Water Defenders’ furious comeback, including two in their decisive 6-0 closing flurry, while Soltones punched in four hits.

Despite the win, BaliPure coach Roger Gorayeb said he was far from satisfied and rued his wards’ another slow start and their glaring 40 errors, nine more than the Power Smashers.

“We did not play well. As I told my players, it’s okay to commit errors but we should learn from every mistake. They should be able to overcome that,” said Gorayeb.

“There were critical points in the game where they failed to communicate. It seems that they are still feeling their way around. That should not be the case at this point.”

After being silenced at the end of the opening frame, the Water Defenders outsteadied their rivals in the next three sets despite playing catch-up majority of the way.

Malabanan smashed in 19 kills for a 20-point output while Soltones delivered an all-around game of 13 hits for 15 points while adding 12 excellent receptions and 10 digs.

Skipper Jovelyn Prado, Dimdim Pacres and Regine Arocha punched in 11 points apiece while Katherine Villegas wound up with 10 points for the Power Smashers, who swept the defending champion Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, also last Sunday.

Jaroensri Bualee and Jennifer Keddy of BaliPure and Kannika Thipachot and Amporn Hyapha of the Nes Pamilar-mentored squad, along with the other imports, continued to miss the action pending the release of their ITCs (International Transfer Certificates).