By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros ICC Blue Hawks stayed alive in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) semifinals’ Game 2 after a 26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-27, 15-13 triumph over the Marikina Lady Shoemasters at the University of Perpetual Help Gym.

Negrense Reyann Cañete stepped up offensively for the Blue Hawks as she accumulated 23 points, showcasing 16 successful attacks, six service aces and one block, to earn the Player of the Game honors.

The former NCAA Best Opposite Spiker awardee said they followed the instruction of Blue Hawks head coach Edgar Barroga as they bounced back from their stinging Game 1 loss to Marikina.

“Sinabihan kami ni coach Edgar na dapat maging kampante kami sa sarili namin kasi parang ina-underestimate namin ‘yun kalaban [nung Game 1], kaya bumawi talaga kami,” Cañete said.

“Binalik namin [sa Game 2] ‘yung enjoyment sa game. Mas nag-usap usap kami, then ‘yung depensa, mas inayos, binase namin sa pattern ni coach Edgar,” the Negros Occidental’s Sagay City-native added.

Meanwhile, the Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp. live to fight another day after a 25-18, 25-12, 25-22 beating of the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers in Game 2 of the series.

Shaila Omipon carried the fight for Bacoor in the straight set romp, as she finished with 16 points, including 14 attacks and two service aces to be adjudged Player of the Game.

“Palaging sinasabi sa amin ni coach na dapat matibay ang dibdib namin and also ‘yung isip namin. Nagkaroon din kami ng adjustment sa mindset kasi natalo kami sa Game 1,” Omipon said.

“Personally, ang iniisip ko lang is kailangan kong maka-contribute para sa team. Kapag may nado-down na players, kailangan i-lift up namin,” the NCAA Season 98 Rookie of the Year winner added.

The do-or-die MPVA semifinal matches between the Blue Hawks and Lady Shoemasters, as well as Strikers and the Golden Coolers are to be played on Wednesday, December 13./ASC, WDJ