But let’s start with honorable mentions (unofficial awards) from the
other teams that made their mark in this short but intense conference.
To The Rescue Award: Mylene Paat
While Jovelyn Gonzaga is still away, Cignal found one hell of a
reinforcement with Mylene Paat. A perfect complement to what Rachel Ann Daquis
gave on offense during their unbeaten run in the preliminaries. Count me in to
the people who will not complain if they give her the best opposite spiker
award. It’s a huge possibility if F2 Logistics wins the title. The reason
otherwise will be stated later.
“F*ck it! I Will Play!” Award:
MJ Phillips
All were shocked when MJ entered the floor for their quarterfinals
match in a sling. Obviously it would be a big blow to the game of Sta. Lucia if
she will not play. A bigger blow was when we found out that it was a tear in
her spiking shoulder. Damn! F2 Logistics have their jobs cut for them. She wasn’t
in the first six, so we all knew what would it mean. But wait… she was in
uniform, so that would mean…
Yes, she played in the second set.
I saw her serve and wince in pain afterwards. Everyone in the arena who
saw that surely felt the pain too. Same thing goes to her attacks... one spike,
one wince. It was pretty excruciating to see but not to her specially when they
were winning the second set. After that set win, her next attacks seem to be
pain free… no wince, no cringe whatsoever. Of course reality came in that F2
Logistics will win that match. Nevertheless, it was a solid statement that
despite of the odds, she will be ready to go.
There are other awards for the other honorable mentions in the other
teams, but the winners are from the two finalists. These are the accolades such
as “Literally A Spring In Their Jump” award that qualified Patty Orendain,
Fiola Ceballos, and Jonah Sabete, but the winner is definitely Sisi Rondina,
and “The Diglett” award that qualified Kath Arado and Jheck Dionela, but
clearly it would go to either Buding Duremdes or Dawn Macandili.
Since we are now in championship row, it’s now time to make the case
for these potential MVPs, in no particular order.
Ara Galang
Hater or not, you would all definitely say that SHE IS BACK!
Many of the observers are in agreement that we would know that she is
back if she gets that jump again and spike that ball down hard. True enough she
was hitting cross courts, off speeds, through the blockers, like it was UAAP
all over again. In addition, she got that backrow attack calibrated so well
that it always throws backline defenders off. With that wide range of offensive
arsenal, defenders would need some work to check her. Back in their preliminaries
match against Petron, Galang was a constant in the offense in that game where everybody
else in her team was restrained by the defense. Expect that she’ll go to work
early in offense in order to attract the defense of Petron and let her
teammates get their groove on offense. That game plan might get her the case
for MVP if they win the series.
While we’re here at the Cargo Movers’ side… coach Ramil De Jesus could either
start Kim Fajardo or Michelle Cobb at the setter position; Mich Morente is
starting to make some impact offensively; and I am going to look forward for
more combination plays in the middle. They did that once against Petron and it
sure made them look so clueless on what to do on defense.
Now for Petron…
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas
I always say that Petron is the craftiest team offensively, but Aiza is
the craftiest of them all. It’s like she time travels three seconds forward to
check the net defense given to her, travel back in time and hit the fitting attack
to score. Malayo blocker sa net, papaluan
kita! Walang coverage sa likod, drop ka lang. Nakataas kamay mo sa block,
lalakasan ko na para lumipad palabas yan! The scary part is she is doing it
in very consistently. Although she is not the always Rhea’s first option on
offense, but when it’s her time to score, she will score. I mentioned this on
Twitter; if Ces got foiled on her attack, so as Mika, and so as Bernadeth Pons,
and the rally goes on… if all else fails, go to Aiza… and she will score.
For the others… defense will highly rely on the middles; Mika Reyes,
Chloe Cortez, and Rem Palma. Once the net defense does it job of at least
delaying the spikes of the Cargo Movers, Rhea Dimaculangan will have a field
day cherry picking her attackers.
Who will win? I do not know. Let’s just all sit back, relax, then get
carried away with the long rallies, and enjoy the series. The rivalry
continues!
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