Graze Bombita and Bern Flora showed no fear against the giant contenders Chery Tigo as Bombita unleashed 24 points, 21 attacks, and two blocks while Flora pushed through the Santiagos’ walls contributed 16 points and 17 excellent receptions.

The first set started with a tough and breath-taking combination of offense and defense until Jaja Santiago toppled the fight with a 19-16 lead in late midframe, combined with multiple errors from BaliPure, the set ended with a six-point lead in favor for Cherry Tigo.

Baliton and Casugod powered the beginning of the second set with a 7-4 lead, whereas the midfield showed Cherry Tigo’s weakened defense as the Water Defenders’ synchronized run outlasted until the end with a 6 point lead.

After the down-up set, the Santiago sisters avenged on the third frame, leading the team in a 6-2 lead and sure enough, the combined great offense of Jaja and floor defense from Cherry Tigo easily ended the set with a 12-point lead. 

Even though the giant contenders continued to dominate early at the fourth frame, Bombita did not stop to send killer blows alongside Flora’s refusal of towering Santiago, extending the game up to the fifth set with a 27-25 score lead. 

Finally, Jaja welcomed the concluding set with powerful attacks leading to a 2-all, but Bombita refused to give up pushing to a 9-8 lead, continued with a clutch match point, 14-11, and ended with 15-12 lead point after Nabor’s decisive setting error.

BaliPure coach John Abella was ecstatic for the team’s victory since their efforts and preparation paid off, and especially they faced a powerful undefeated contender. 

“Siyempre sobrang saya namin kasi pinaghandaan namin sa training pa lang kahapon, we had a film viewing. At least maganda yung napakita, nag-translate talaga sa laro kung ano man yung usapan namin kahapon,” Coach Abella said.

“Nakaka-high ng moral yung panalo na ‘to especially Chery Tiggo na natalo namin kasi one of the contenders talaga sila going into the tournament,” he added.