Sta. Lucia bolsters semis bid with win over BaliPure


Sta Lucia's Dell Palomata spikes against BaliPure's Judith Abil and Shirley Salamagos in their PVL match Sunday (PVL Media Bureau)

Sta Lucia made short work of BaliPure, 25-15, 25-12, 25-14, on Sunday to bolster its semifinal bid in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PVC Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

The Lady Realtors needed a little over an hour in dispatching the Water Defenders to hike their win-loss tally to 4-3 for solo fifth.

Jonah Sabete carried the fight for Sta Lucia by firing 11 of her 15 points on attacks, while Dell Palomata took charge of the net defense by posting five blocks to finish with 11 points.

MJ Phillips also stepped up with 10 points, while Bang Pineda and Jovielyn Prado combined for 29 of the team’s 57 digs.

Sta Lucia coach Eddieson Orcullo hopes to see more fire and grit from his stalwarts in their remaining matches.

“Yung dalawang remaining games, for us, finals championship game,” he said.

“Ngayon, nandoon kami sa punta na kailangang makuha at makuha namin yung panalo. Kaya dapat trabaho lang nang trabaho.”

BaliPure appeared lethargic by managing only 17 kills while failing to make a single ace out of 42 serves.

None from the Water Defenders scored in double figures with Bernadette Flora and Geneveve Casugod scoring only five points each.

The loss put their semis hopes in peril as they absorbed their third straight defeat for 2-4.