BaliPure celebrates PVL title with its
fans
by rick olivares
The BaliPure Purest Water
Defenders celebrated its first ever Grand Fans Day last Saturday, September 2,
at the Robinson’s Galleria in Pasig City.
Over 130 fans turned out for the
occasion that celebrated BaliPure’s recent Open Conference championship in the
Premier Volleyball League where they swept the defending titlists Pocari Sweat
in two matches.
The team composed of head coach
Roger Gorayeb and assistant Neil Are, together with players Abigail Nuval,
Jasmine Nabor, Gretchel Soltones, Aiko Urdas, Gel Cayuna, Jerrili Malabanan,
Risa Sato, Jorelle Singh, Alyssa Eroa, and Macy Mendiola (Lizlee Ann Pantone
and Iris Oliveros were unavailable for the event) and team manager Paolo Turno
and team consultant Gil Cortez spent three hours with the fans. They played
some games, engaged fans in a question and answer portion then signed
autographs and posed for selfies.
“It’s great to see that we have
our own fans outside the clubs with the huge followings,” said Cortez. “And
they have been very supportive throughout these past two years when we
compete.”
Added team captain Nabor, “Sarap
ng feeling na meron suporta sa stands sa mga laro namin. At walang hakot diyan.
Fans talaga. Manalo o matalo nandiyan sila.”
The fans came as far as Bataan,
Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas to attend the fan’s day. Said Bryan from Laguna,
“Nakakatuwa kasi sila (BaliPure) dahil puro sila estudyante tapos yung mga
kalaban nila mga graduate na at mas matanda sa kanila ng konti. Hindi pa sila
all-star team.”
“I think what pushed us to go for
this like we have never done before is we had so much motivation going into the
finals,” pointed out Soltones. “We almost didn’t qualify for the semi-finals
and all the way we were up against top-seeded teams.”
While most of the Purest Water
Defenders are currently playing for their respective schools, team management
is currently studying how to field a team for the planned PVL on Tour that
coincides with the upcoming UAAP and NCAA volleyball tournaments.
“We hope to bring back everyone
for another run,” said Cortez. “It’s a priority.”
No comments:
Post a Comment