By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacoor City Spikers Metro Land Builders Corp. ruled the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) league after sweeping the Negros ICC Blue Hawks, 28-26, 25-14, 25-23, in the do-or-die Game 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Thursday night, December 21.

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 final matches.

Meanwhile, the Marikina Lady Shoemasters claimed the MPVA bronze medal after an 18-25, 25-9, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory over the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers in do-or-die Game 3 of the series.

Ilongga Shannen Palec delivered the game-winning point as she smashed the ball towards the defense of the Golden Coolers to complete their fightback 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./ASC, WDJ