BaliPure boosts semis bid, grounds Air Force

Grethcel Soltones of Bali Pure attempts a spike against two Philippine Air Force blockers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BaliPure fueled its semifinals campaign with a 25-17, 25-12, 25-17 rout of Air Force in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Saturday night at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The win, the Water Defenders’ fifth in seven matches, enabled them to close in on the top spot and bounce back from a defeat at the hands of Pocari Sweat.

The Jet Spikers absorbed their seventh defeat in eight games and are now out of the running.

Earlier, Perlas outshone Power Smashers, 27-25, 26-24, 25-19, to register its second straight victory and amp up its bid for the next round.

The Perlas Spikers notched their fifth win in eight outings, while handing the Power Smashers their fourth defeat in seven games.

Perlas import Rupia Inck exploded with 19 points, 14 on attacks, to quickly make her presence felt after riding the bench for the past two weeks due to the International Transfer Certificate row.

Dzi Gervacio unloaded 11 points in addition to providing leadership for the Perlas Spikers. Japanese setter Naoko Hashimoto accounted for 25 excellent sets for Perlas.

“They definitely helped us in this game because they finally get to fill in positions in the team,” said Gervacio.

The Power Smashers’ reinforcements also saw action with Thais Kannika Thipachot and Hyapa Amporn making 16 and 11 points, respectively.