Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Bali Pure was considered the most potent team of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference even before the whistle blew for the first set.
With a lineup that has two-headed monster Alyssa Valdez and Grethcel Soltones the Water Defenders’ intimidation factor is through the roof.
As vaunted as it may be, Bali Pure needed someone to be its central leader.
And it came in the form of Charo Soriano.
“Right now we get to adjust because we’re complete, and we should work on our teamwork more,” said Mae Tajima who had a career-high eight points as the Water Defenders swept Laoag Wednesday at San Juan Arena.
“The team plays with more confidence siguro.”
Bali Pure may be playing like a well-oiled machine as it won its fourth straight game for a 4-1 record, but it had been entirely during its first three matches.
It dropped its first game and the next two games saw an incomplete team trying to hold fort.
Bali Pure played Iriga in June 8, in a match the Water Defenders won but they only fielded nine players.
Their team struggles now are all but over and it’s Soriano who’s been keeping the team together.
“With Ate Char [Soriano] as a playing coach she’s giving us the confidence, she trusts us whatever we do inside the court,” Tajima said.
Soriano said the team was in a light mood after their win against the Power Smashers and she hoped the team can still improve more as they secured a semifinals spot.
“They’re very at ease with each other, but we can’t take things lightly,” said Soriano. “We still need to work in training, working harder, and preparing ourselves in our next games.”