MANILA – Negros ICC Blue Hawks handed Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers their first defeat in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association with a 26-24, 28-26, 25-22 sweep on Wednesday night at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
Angel Mae Habacon was hailed Player of the Game after finishing with 18 points on 17 attacks and one block as the Blue Hawks returned to their winning ways to improve to a 2-1 win-loss slate.
“Happy kasi nakabawi kami from our first loss. We learned our lesson from that. Dapat kumapit po talaga kami,” said Habacon, a standout of the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers.
“Heading into this game, may tumibay ‘yung fighting spirit namin. Na hindi na kami madaling mag give up kahit na lamang ‘yung kalaban namin, babawi kami hanggang dulo,” she added.
The Blue Hawks opened their campaign with a victory over Caloocan AM Spikers before suffering a tough five-set defeat to the Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp. despite taking the first two sets.
Against the Golden Coolers, the Edgar Barroga-mentored Blue Hawks were engaged in a tight battle in the first two sets before the Negrenses connected timely hits for close set wins.
In the third set, the Blue Hawks were once again challenged by the Golden Coolers, but the former managed to create their much-needed separation to secure the bounce-back win.
The Golden Coolers, on the other hand, dropped to a 2-1 win-loss slate after previously winning against the Go For Gold-San Juan Lady Knights and Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp.
The Blue Hawks will aim for their second consecutive win as they face Nasipit Lady Spikers-Agusan del Norte at six in the evening today at the Baliwag Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan.
The Lady Spikers, currently with a 2-2 win-loss slate, came from a straight-set defeat to Biñan TatakGel – I am Worldwide last Wednesday at Sta. Rosa, Laguna./PN
