BaliPure celebrates PVL title with its fans

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.”