darnits

Hi all, I just bought a house with an inground pool and was wondering if someone could help me out with a problem I am having. As I said I have an inground pool, with a spa attached. It is a new pool, just put in last year. My pump is about 4 feet higher than the pool. I went to clean the pump basket today and lost the prime on the lines heading to the pump. I am trying to fill the basket with water to get my prime back, however, when I fill it, the water just heads back to the pool, leaving the pump basket at the same water level. There is a three way Jandy valve that is near the pump basket. However, I have tried every position for the valve and it is still letting water escape back to the pool. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jon