Bali P. tossers stay unbowed

FAN-FAVORITE Bali Pure hopes to show more of its firepower next time it sees action in the Shakey’s V-League.

Expecting time to be on their side this time, the Water Defenders think team chemistry will be a notch higher in their next title bid.
“This team was formed rather late coming into the season, but these girls are very mature and they did not use that once as an excuse,” said Bali Pure coach Charo Soriano.

Bannered by volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, the Water Defenders still managed to finish third in the Season 13 Open Conference despite dealing with some of their players’ prior commitments.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to show more of team Bali Pure,” said Soriano.

Aside from Valdez, a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, the Water Defenders also boast conference MVP and two-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones as well as former UAAP Finals MVP Amy Ahomiro.

Past Ateneo standouts like Dzi Gervacio, Ella de Jesus, Jem Ferrer and Denden Lazaro also made the Water Defenders an early title-favorite.

The star-studded squad, though, had to deal with the absences of several standouts throughout the conference—with Valdez even missing the battle for third—due to local and international commitments.

Still, the Water Defenders swept Team Laoag in the best-of-three series to salvage a bronze.

Pocari Sweat—which booted out the Water Defenders in the Final Four—and Philippine Air Force wound up fighting for the championship.

The Lady Warriors and the Jet Spikers were clashing for the crown in a do-or-die Game 3 at press time last night.

But the Water Defenders intend to make the most out of their early exit.

Soriano said her team will be in Guam from July 26 to 29 for a series of workshops and exhibition games with the Guam national team.

“We’re very much excited with the additional exposure that we’re going to have,” said Soriano.