BaliPure ready to slug it out.
BaliPure raring to play
BALIPURE is determined to slug it out with the Premier Volleyball League heavyweights when the Open Conference begins next month.
“It’s a balanced team compared to last year,” said Water Defenders team manager Gil Cortez. “Last year, our offense revolved around Graze (Bombita), (Bern) Flora, and Gyra (Barroga).”
Bombita moved to Cignal last September, leaving Flora and Barroga to take care of BaliPure’s offense.
But the Water Defenders need not worry, as the club has acquired Jho Maraguinot and Janine Marciano to strengthen its attacking department.
Maraguinot was one of the vital cogs of the now-disbanded Perlas Spikers, while Marciano will make a return to BaliPure after she suited up in 2016 in the PVL’s precursor V-League.
The Water Defenders made heads turn in last year’s Open Conference by pulling off a couple of reversals, but their efforts were not enough, finishing eighth in the 10-team field with a 3-6 record.
Among other new faces for BaliPure are former Ateneo setter Jamie Lavitoria, who also signed with the team after being released by Choco Mucho, and former PLDT libero Alyssa Eroa, who like Marciano was also part of the pioneering squad in 2016.
Rounding up the new faces for the Water Defenders are Marian Buitre, Patty Orendain, Julia Ipac and Raprap Aguilar.
Also making a comeback for BaliPure is playmaker Alina Bicar, who suited up for PetroGazz in the inaugural PNVF Champions League late last year.
Aside from Barroga and Flora, service specialist Carly Hernandez, Gen Casugod and Sati Espiritu are among the holdovers from last season’s squad.
John Abella will still call the shots for BaliPure.
