By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Blue Hawks clawed back from a set down to defeat the San Juan Lady Knights-Go for Gold, 24-26, 25-18, 25-20, 27-25, in the 2024 MPVA Season at the Bacoor City Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite on Tuesday night, August 13.

Marjorie Orpilla came off the bench to deliver 24 points, built on 21 attacks, two service aces and one block, as the Blue Hawks recovered from the opening-day defeat to improve to a 1-1 win-loss slate.

“Ginawa po ng coaches ‘yung best nila para maipanalo ‘yung game today. Nagbago sila ng [rotation ng] players for this game, kasi nung last game nagkulang kami sa spikers,” Orpilla said in a Player of the Game interview.

“Ang sabi lang sa amin ng mga coaches namin is magsakripisyo kami sa loob ng court, ilabas namin kung ano ‘yung inensayo namin, at magtulong-tulong kami inside the court,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers showed steadiness in the endgame to upset the defending champions, the Bacoor City Strikers, 18-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 22-20.

Negrense Joan Doguna anchored the Golden Coolers’ offense with 20 points, all coming from attacks, to be named Player of the Game as they kicked off their campaign on a winning note.

“Mahalaga itong laban na ito para sa amin kasi ilang beses na din namin silang nakalaban, and palaging nire-remind ni coach na ipakita kung ano ‘yung pinagpraktisan namin,” Doguna said.

After surviving a tough fourth set, the Golden Coolers surged to a seven-point lead early in the fifth frame before the Strikers clawed their way back and forced several deadlocks with the last at 20-all.

The Golden Coolers reached match point at 21-20 following a drop ball by Hiromi Osada before they completed the upset with an off-the-block connection by Johna Dolorito.

On the other hand, the Strikers dropped to a 1-1 win-loss slate.

They also have to worry about the status of star hitter Winnie Bedaña, who went down with a shoulder injury late in the game./ASC, WDJ