BaliPure, Perlas-BanKo dispute semis playoff seat

BaliPure and Perlas-BanKo square off today in a key match for at least a playoff for the last semifinal berth as the Final Four race heats up in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Water Defenders, runners-up to the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in the recent Reinforced Conference, face a must-win outing against the Perlas Spikers after a roller-coaster win-losswin-loss ride midway through the single round elims of the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

They remain at fourth but the Perlas Spikers are just a shade behind at 2-3, wheeling back into contention with a four-set victory over the UP Lady Maroons last Wednesday.

That makes their 4 p.m. duel a match to watch with BaliPure coach Roger Gorayeb expected to go through his main core led by Grethcel Soltones, Risa Sato, Aiko Urdas, Jerrili Malabanan and ace playmaker Jasmine Nabor.

But Perlas-BanKo mentor Nai Muhammad remains hopeful of his wards backdoor bid with former UP stalwarts Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon tipped to sustain their form along with veteran Sue Roces and Ella de Jesus along with top setter Jem Ferrer.

Meanwhile, semifinalist Creamline tries to extend its win run to six as it plays back-to-the-wall UP at 6:30 p.m.