PVL: Motolite stays in playoff hunt, rallies past BaliPure

MANILA, Philippines—Motolite rose from two sets down to beat BaliPure, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 15-12, Saturday and stay in Final Four contention in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Channon Thompson and Krystle Esdelle delivered the motherlode of points for the Motolite spikers who climbed to 3-5, and handed the Water Defenders’ their eighth successive defeat.

Thompson wound up with 27 points, while Esdelle had 24 for Motolite which stayed the course despite narrowly losing the first two sets.

BaliPure, which had only won two sets all conference prior to the match, started to feel pressure as soon as it posted a two sets to none lead, something Motolite took advantage to slowly get back into the game.

Dani Dzakovic had 18 points for BaliPure which closed in at 12-13 in the fifth only to see Esdelle slam down a point and top local Water Defender  Grace Bombita committing an attack error.