Quezon spikers complete MPVA Cinderella run

MANILA, Philippines —  Quezon conquered the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) right in its first season, sweeping Biñan Tatak Gel 1-Pacman Partylist in the finals on Wednesday night at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.

One of the two expansion franchises in the nine-team league, the Tangerines scored a 16-2 overall record in their season debut, highlighted by a 25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-15 Game 2 clincher versus the Volley Angels.

Mary Grace Borromeo led the way with 18 points while Rhea Mae Densing had 17 points on her way to capturing the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Opposite Hitter plums.

First Best Middle Blocker Cristy Ondangan, who starred in Quezon’s 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 17-15 escape act in Game 1, and seasoned spiker Mycah Go added 16 points for the Tangerines made up of the core from the NCAA three-peat champion St. Benilde.

Chenae Basarte was hailed as the league’s Best Setter for being the author of Quezon’s offense in a masterful campaign in the first home-and-away season of the MPVA founded by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

First Best Outside Hitter Erika Jin Deloria (18), Shane Carmona (15) and Second Best Middle Blocker Zenith Perolino (10) led the Volley Angels in a gallant runner-up finish.