BaliPure’s Risa Sato.
BaliPure had to sweat it out but was still able to pull off the come-from-behind five-set win over Creamline, 20-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 15-7, to clinch a seat in the 2017 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Guest player Jennifer Keddy topped the Water Defenders with 18 points, powered by 14 kills, two blocks, and two service aces, while Risa Sato provided the much needed support with her 16 markers.
Jeng Bualee chimed in 15 points for BaliPure, which stayed on top with its 7-2 slate.
“We’re thankful,” said coach Roger Gorayeb in Filipino. “The way the game was played earlier, the girls were really tired from our game on Sunday. It was evident on the way Jeng hit the ball. But we’re just thankful to get the win.”
The Water Defenders had to play catchup for the first time this conference, losing two of the first three sets as they stared at a 2-1 set deficit.
But a better showing from Sato and Bualee anchored BaliPure in the fourth set, which continued in the clincher as it broke off of a 3-all deadlock and took a 13-6 lead.
Sato put the Water Defenders on the hill before Grethcel Soltones capped off the victory with a killer spike to seal the deal.
Kuttika Kaewpin fired 26 points in the sorry defeat for Creamline (3-6), while fellow guest player Laura Schaudt got 16.
Alyssa Valdez played limited minutes as she nursed a sprained ankle, but was hardly a factor in the match, finishing with only two points in the losing effort.
Still, the Cool Smashers are locked at the fifth seed with their 3-6 card regardless of the result of their match against Perlas on Thursday.