MANILA – Negros ICC Blue Hawks clinched their fifth consecutive win in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 sweep of Marikina Lady Shoemasters over the weekend at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Setter Charlotte Tutanes stepped up anew with her impressive ball distribution with 21 excellent sets to go with five points to be named Player of the Game for the Blue Hawks.
According to Tutanes, the Blue Hawks are still not content with their first-round performance, as they aim to improve their service and reception in the second round of eliminations.
“No mercy na po inside the court, kasi final game na namin sa (first round of) eliminations, and hindi namin in-underestimate ‘yung kalaban namin kahit na nasa taas kami ng standings,” Tutanes said.
“Sa second round naman, we want to maintain ‘yung consistency namin inside the court; mag-start from the basics; madami pa din kaming mga errors, especially in service and reception,” she added.
The Blue Hawks occupy the No. 1 spot in the standings with a 6-1 win-loss record, while the Lady Shoemasters failed to score a follow-up victory as they dropped to a 3-4 record.
In the other match, Biñan Tatak Gel I Am Worldwide snapped its five-game losing skid with a 14-25, 25-21, 32-30, 26-24 victory over San Juan Lady Knights Go For Gold.
A strategic move by Biñan saw Lyka Lanaria transition from an opposite spiker to a middle blocker proved to be instrumental as they ended the first round of eliminations with two wins and five losses.
Lanaria’s remarkable contribution of 15 points, derived from 12 attacks, 2 blocks, and a service ace, has earned her Player of the Game honors for the Biñan team.
“Sobrang saya kasi pangalawang panalo pa lang namin ito, and ang tagal din naming hinintay ito,” Lanaria said in a post-game interview. “Maganda ito para sa morale ng team, na natapos namin ang first round ng may panalo.”/PN
