By Adrian Stewart Co
Bacolodnon Patty Jane Orendain will be one of the veteran players when the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders compete in the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) slated later this year.
The former University of St. La Salle-Bacolod standout made her move to the Water Defenders after previously suiting up for the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers in the Philippine Superliga (PSL).
Apart from the Bacolod City-native open hitter, also comprising the BaliPure roster are Gyra Barroga, Sati Espiritu, Carlota Hernandez, Roselle Baliton, Patty Orendain, Shirley Salamagos, Laizah Bendong, Audrey Paran, Alina Bicar, and Grazielle Bombita.
Water Defenders team manager Gil Cortez said that, while the current roster is not as powerhouse as the previous BaliPure team, the current bunch of players will surely give their all in their games.
“It is every team’s dream to build a strong and competitive lineup, especially now that the old PSL members are with the PVL now. But I’m happy with the players we have right now,” Cortez said in an interview with “Usapang Sports on Air.”
“With the recruitment we did under (BaliPure head) coach (Rommel) Abella, I think may ibubuga naman ‘yung mga players namin. We’ll do it with our defense. And if we do that we have a chance,” he added.
Abella, for his part, said that the main target of the Water Defenders in the upcoming tournament is to make it to the semifinals and see what will happen from there.
“We’ll take it one game at a time. The plan is to build and work on it. If we need a couple of players more, then we’ll look for what we need. What we are doing is working on our strengths and weaknesses and eventually to see what positions players we need,” he said.
“I admit we are eyeing a Final Four slot. But the goal really is to see progress of the team from game to game,” added Abella, a former champion coach with Pocari Sweat in PVL.
BaliPure will be one of the teams competing in the upcoming PVL season aside from defending champion Creamline, Petro Gazz, Perlas Spikers, Cignal HD, Chef’s Classics, Choco Mucho, PLDT and Peak Form./ASC, WDJ