Perlas spikers rally past BaliPure to keep semifinal hopes burning

In the darkest moments of the match Saturday night, Perlas-BanKo found a way to shine.

Perlas BangKo worked its way to a rousing 24-26, 13-25, 25-13, 25-22, 15-11 win over BaliPure and remain in contention for a semifinals berth in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at FilOil Flying V Center.

“We really held tight. We didn’t want to give up that third set because we know that if we lose it, it’s goodbye to the semis,” said Kathy Bersola, who exploded with 20 points for Perlas-BanKo.

Refusing to yield that easily, Perlas-BanKo capitalized on an error-prone BaliPure in the third frame. In an instant, the Perlas Spikers were clutching a 20-11 lead that extended the match.

But the fourth frame didn’t start well for the Perlas Spikers as they trailed, 7-14, after Grethcel Soltones, who fired 17 points, clustered back-to-back markers.

But the Water Defenders soon fell into complacency and committed easy errors, which the Perlas Spikers gamely pounced on through Bersola, Tiamzon and Ella de Jesus.

“We have become one solid team and we proved that we can rely on each other,” said Nicole Tiamzon.

At 3-3, Perlas-BanKo can make it outright to the next round with another victory.

BaliPure is also still in contention but its fate will also depend on the results of other squads.