CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—It’s lucky number 13.
It took Balipure 13 matches to finally get its first win as it subdued Philippine Air Force in five sets, 26-24, 16-25, 25-19, 17-25, 17-15, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Center.
The Water Defenders were on a 12-game losing streak that stretched back to the Reinforced Conference and they also lost their first two matches in the current conference.
That skid, though, came to a halt with Grazielle Bombita willing her team late in the fifth set.
Bombita, cramps and all, put the Water Defenders at the 16-15 match point with a crosscourt kill before Dell Palomata’s attack error sealed Balipure’s win.
“It’s so relieving for me because I really wanted to win for the players because I know how much they’ve sacrificed and worked for,” said Balipure head coach Rommel Abella in Filipino.
“It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I’m pretty sure the players are ecstatic with their win.”
Bombita led all scorers with 23 points while Menchie Tubiera and Satrriani Espirity had 17 and 13 points, respectively, as they improved to 1-2 in the conference.
Palomate and Angel Antipuesto had 13 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the Lady Jet Spikers who dropped to 0-3.