By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Blue Hawks opened their 2024 MPVA Season campaign with a 25-17, 25-19 and 25-17 defeat to the Bacoor City Strikers at the Bacoor City Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite on Sunday night, August 11.

Shaila Omipon spearheaded the offense with 17 points, built on 15 attacks, one block and a service ace, to be named Player of the Game for the defending champion Strikers.

Omipon, a standout of the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, said the Strikers are still adjusting to the departure of Mary Rhose Dapol and Razel Aldea, who have turned professional.

“Actually, hindi lang naman po ako ang nag-adjust, kundi lahat kami nag-adjust sa key losses namin. So I think nag-work naman ‘yung mga trinaining namin, kung papaano kami mabubuo sa court, and maganda naman ang resulta,” Omipon said.

“Basta training lang kami ng training, then ‘yung mga kailangang i-improve ay i-improve lang namin, and go hard lang kami sa training and sa games,” the reigning MPVA MVP added.

The season-opener match served as a rematch of the MPVA Inaugural Season championship series, where the Strikers clinched the crown in three games.

The Strikers will aim for their second straight win against the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers on Tuesday, August 13, while the Blue Hawks will attempt to bounce back against the San Juan Lady Knights-Go for Gold on the same day./ASC, WDJ