Spin.ph’s Lance Agcaoili initially reported the acquisition of Maraguinot from the Perlas Spikers, who have decided to take a leave of absence in the upcoming PVL tournament.

BaliPure’s pioneering members Janine Marciano and Alyssa Eroa reunited again with the squad.

Purest Water Defenders also secured the commitments of Julia Ipac and Rap Aguilar from Cignal, Marian Buitre from Chery Tiggo, Jamie Lavitoria from Choco Mucho, and PLDT’s Patty Orendain.

The team also welcomed back setter Alina Bicar, who played for Petro Gazz Angels in the PNVF Champions League, teaming up with holdovers Been Flora, Gen Casugod, Sati Espiritu, Gyra Barroga, and Carly Hernandez.

“Yung mga coaches, ito yung napili nila talaga. I think may ibubuga ito. Hindi man compared doon sa malalaking pangalan na talagang nag tug of war [yung teams]. But these players, they have their own given talent and they play hard,” said team manager Gil Cortez.

BaliPure will be Maraguinot’s third club team following her successful campaign with Sta. Lucia in the 2018 Philippine Superliga and with the Perlas Spikers in the PVL Bubble in Ilocos Norte and Champions League in Lipa, Batangas last year.

Cortez is confident with the team’s new recruits that they can add strength for the Water Defenders after the departure of top scorer Graze Bombita.

The club will be playing under head coach John Abella, BaliPure finished in eighth place with a 6-8 win-loss standing card last season.

“Of course nawala sila sa ibang teams nila, pupukpok at maglalaro ng mahusay ito to prove to their other teams, lalo nanyung nagtanggal sa kanila, na nakakalaro sila ng mahusay,” Cortez said.

The Water Defenders is expecting two additional players to complete its lineup for the season.