![BaliPure coach John Abella with the Purest Water Defenders [photo credit: PVL.com]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/98a97a37b7beeb1f7543e6b7da523c96-400x200.jpg)
The BaliPure Purest Water Defenders caught the attention of volleyball fans when they pulled off some surprising wins over favored teams in the 2021 PVL Open Conference.
![Skye Chua [photo credit: Cherrie Chua]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/203667737_1199599860452970_4480767325990521438_n1-400x200.jpg)
Set to represent the country in the first leg to be held in Courchevel, France is 18-year-old Skye Patenia. The inclusive dates of the tournament will be from Aug. 18 to 21.
![Choco Mucho Flying TItans [photo from PusoPilipinas Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/223565628_321272566388735_1994764801648639943_n-400x200.jpg)
The BanKo Perlas Spikers had no answer to the steady blocking of Choco Mucho, resulting in their first loss in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference (23-25, 20-25, 20-25) on Sunday at PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
In an interview on the Rica “Baby Dynamite” Aquino podcast, the 56-year-old points out how Barbosa defied the odds and advancing ahead of seasoned fighters such as Pauline Lopez, Arven Alcantara and Kirstie Elaine Alora.
Coach Rommel Abella, Graze Bombita, Alina Bicar, and Bern Flora appeared in a recent interview with Brian Yalung and this writer as they shared their insights on the game against the Crossovers.
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said it’s understandable that Filipinos are expecting Pinoy Olympians to deliver the goods in the Tokyo Olympics.
![Charlie Ho [photo credit: Charlie Ho Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/120891387_10159055823622259_1869833327172269636_n-400x200.jpg)
The cause of women in sports in the country got a big shot in the arm when Atty. Charlie Ho, president of the Philippine Netball Federation was elected Vice President of the Asia Netball, formerly Asian Netball Federation, last July 15 in a voting process done via virtual conferencing.
The Chery Tiggo Crossover played a masterful game led by the Santiago sisters and Joy Dacoron as they dominated the PLDT Home Fibr Hitters in straight sets, 25-20, 25-17, 25-6, at the PCV Socio Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Notre.
It is heartwarming to note that in this time of the pandemic, Philippine sports is boosting our spirits. We’ve lost a lot of friends already, businesses are shattered, movements are limited, and some of us are still waiting for the first jab. We should not make fools of ourselves and turn blind to reality.
The last two years have been the most challenging for athletes, be it student athletes, amateur athletes, or professional athletes. Sports grinded to a halt when the pandemic began, leaving athletes with no choice but to keep training not knowing when sports will resume.