MANILA – Bacoor City Spikers Metro Land Builders Corp. emerged as the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association champions after sweeping Negros ICC Blue Hawks, 28-26, 25-14, 25-23, in the do-or-die Game 3 last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Mary Rhose Dapol stepped up offensively with 13 points, on 11 attacks and two service aces, to be named Player of the Game for the Strikers, which wrapped up the best-of-three championship series at 2-1.
According to the reigning NCAA MVP, the championship was meaningful for the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas-backed Strikers ahead of their NCAA campaign next year.
“Malaking bagay para sa amin ang championship na ito kasi makakatulong ito para sa mga upcoming tournaments namin, particularly sa NCAA,” Dapol said in a post-game interview.
“I was injured during the elimination round and gustong gusto ko tulungan ‘yung team kaso mas pinili ko magpahinga para maging healthy ako kasi alam namin na aabot kami sa finals,” she added.
On the part of the Blue Hawks, it was a heartbreaking defeat as they ended up as the top-seed team after the double-round eliminations before losing to the Strikers in two out of the three finals matches.
Meanwhile, Marikina Lady Shoemasters claimed the MPVA bronze medal after a 18-25, 25-9, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory over Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers in do-or-die Game 3 of their series.
Ilongga Shannen Palec delivered the game-winning point as she smashed the ball towards the defense of the Golden Coolers to complete their fight back from a 1-2 set deficit.
The Golden Coolers drew first blood with a 25-18 first set win, but the Lady Shoemasters bounced back with a dominant 25-9 second set victory to tie the set score at 1-1.
Rizal reclaimed the set edge with a close 25-22 win in the third frame and were poised to capture the bronze with a 23-17 lead in the fourth frame, but Marikina countered with a massive 8-1 scoring run to force a deciding set./PN
