By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros ICC Blue Hawks advanced to the finals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) league after a 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 victory over the Marikina Lady Shoemasters in the do-or-die semifinals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Wednesday night, December 13.

Gelah Marie Lopez became a surprise contributor on offense for the Blue Hawks as she finished with a team-high of 11 points to earn Player of the Game honors in the winner-take-all Game 3.

According to Lopez, the Blue Hawks refused to be discouraged by their Game 1 defeat to the Lady Shoemasters as they leaned on the team system to take the next two matches.

“Sinunod lang namin ang system ng team at ni coach Edgar [Barroga], kasi hindi kami pwedeng makampante sa kanila since natalo kami nung Game 1,” Lopez said in a post-game interview.

Christine Apan also finished with the same output as Lopez, while Angel Mae Habacon ended up with 10 markers for the Blue Hawks, which closed the best-of-three semifinal series at 2-1.

Mary Joy Onofre was the lone double-digit scorer for the Lady Shoemasters with 11 points, as they were relegated to the battle-for-third place game.

Meanwhile, the Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp. completed the MPVA finals after a 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 win over the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers in their do-or-die semis game.

Winnie Bedana came up big for the Strikers when they needed it most as she finished with 14 points, on 12 attacks, one block and one service ace, to be named Player of the Game.

“‘Yung goal talaga namin is makasama kami sa finals and ‘yun ‘yung nagsilbing motivation sa amin para maging consistent sa Game 3,” Bedana said in a post-game interview.

“Ipinakita rin namin ‘yung eagerness namin na manalo sa larong ito, kasi matagal na naming gustong makarating sa finals, and ito na nga ‘yun, and kailangan namin trabahuhin,” she added./ASC, WDJ