BaliPure, BanKo thwart foes

BaliPure-NU came through via a bumpy ride while BanKo Perlas cruised worry-free as both teams notched quarterfinal victories Saturday night in the Premier Volleyball League at FilOil Flying V Centre.

Janisa Johnson scored 27 points as the Water Defenders subdued the determined Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons, 25-17, 18-25, 20-25, 26-24,18-16.

Earlier, with their imports doing their usual chores, the Perlas Spikers got a much-needed lift from Nicole Tiamzon to defeat the Tacloban Fighting Warays, 25-22, 25-20, 25-18.

Lakia Bright delivered 19 points to power the Perlas Spikers to a third straight win, while Jutarat Montripla added 13 in the match that avenged their elimination-round loss to the Fighting Warays.

Aside from Tiamzon, who unloaded 10 points, Mary Joy Dacoron and Amy Ahomiro provided local fire, chipping in eight and seven points, respectively.

Jem Ferrer had a field day distributing the ball for the Perlas Spikers, tossing 44 excellent sets to ignite the offense.

“My players are so eager to get back at Tacloban and come out strong here in the quarterfinals.” said BanKo coach Dong Dela Cruz in Filipino. “Hopefully we sustain this and get to the semifinals.”

Only two teams among the six remnants will make it to the next round where early qualifiers Creamline and Paymaya are waiting.