By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros ICC Blue Hawks pulled off a dominant 25-22, 25-20, 25-22 triumph over the San Juan Lady Knights Go For Gold in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) league quarterfinals at the University of Perpetual Help Gym in Las Piñas City on Saturday, December 2.

Angel Mae Habacon top-scored with 15 points. Christine Joy Apan added 10 markers, while Negrense Reyann Cañete and Ma. Audrei Pagayanan chipped in nine and eight markers, respectively, for the semifinals-bound Negros ICC.

Libero Angeliz Cosme also stepped up on the defensive end for the Edgar Barroga-mentored Blue Hawks, as she tallied 18 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions to be named Player of the Game.

“Talagang pinaghahandaan namin ang each game. Hindi rin namin ina-underestimate kung sino man ang makakalaban namin. Same preparation lagi,” Cosme said in a post-game interview.

“Ginagawa din naming motivation in every game ‘yung mga errors na nako-commit ng team. That is where the team focuses sa training, para ma-improve heading into the next game,” she added.

The Blue Hawks needed only one win to reach the semifinals round with their twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive after finishing the double-round eliminations as the top-seed team.

Ypril Tapia top-scored for the Lady Knights with 17 points. Florence Madulid chipped in 13 markers, while Patty Jane Orendain ended with nine markers.

Meanwhile, no. 5 ranked Marikina Lady Shoemasters stayed alive in the quarterfinals after a 27-25, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12 victory over the no. 4 seed Nasipit Avantrac Lady Spikers Agusan del Norte.

Justine Rebleza was named Player of the Game after finishing with 21 points, on 21 attacks, as the Lady Shoemasters sent their quarterfinals series with the Lady Spikers to a do-or-die game last November 29.

Sydney Niegos also stepped up for the Lady Shoemasters with 13 markers. Mary Joy Onofre contributed 10 points and Ilongga Shannen Palec added nine points in the win./ASC, WDJ