BanKo-Perlas, Pocari in crucial matches as race for semis berths heats up

Depending on who emerges victorious on Wednesday’s doubleheader, the race to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference will either finally clear up or get all the more muddled.

BanKo-Perlas and Iriga-Navy duel at 6 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Centre with the Perlas Spikers hoping that the combination imports Kia Bright and Jutarat Montripila and an enviable local crew will help them clinch at least a playoff for the last two semifinal berths.

The Lady Oragons, meanwhile, hope to ride the momentum of a five-set win over Tacloban against BanKo-Perlas, who will have to deal with Lauren White and Macy Ubben.

Pocari and BaliPure, meanwhile, cross swords at 4 p.m. hoping to get back on track with their semifinal bids after getting derailed by crushing defeats the last time out.

With a stellar local crew behind her, Madeline Palmer hopes to rebound from a poor stint against BanKo-Perlas and provide steady firepower support to fellow import Arielle Love.

Pocari locals Myla Pablo, Jeanette Panaga, Iari Yongco, Wendy Semana, Del Palomata and Angel Antipuesto are expected to have an edge over their young counterparts who form the core of National U’s girls’ squad: Joyme Cagande, Faith Nisperos, Mhicaela Belen, Princess Robles and Alyssa Solomon.

What BaliPure yields in local edge, however, it can more than make up for via imports Janisa Johnson and Alexis Matthews.

Meanwhile, Air Force guns for a second straight win and a share of the lead with idle PLDT as it tangles with Instituto Estetico Manila (0-1) at 1 p.m. in the lone match in the men’s side.