Biñan Tatak Gel reclaimed the second spot just in time as Bacoor stumbled to a crucial loss in the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) on Wednesday night at the Bacoor Strike Gym in Cavite.
The Volley Angels swept the San Juan Lady Knights, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18, securing the coveted No. 2 seed, aided by an upset from the already-eliminated AM Caloocan, who defeated the Strikers 18-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 on Bacoor’s home court.
Biñan concluded its campaign at 11-5 with 35 points, while Bacoor dropped to 11-4 with 33 points, still with a chance to reclaim the second seed depending on the outcome of its final match. The two teams are competing for the other twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
Quezon, with a 14-1 record, has already secured the top seed and a twice-to-beat advantage, while Rizal, currently fourth at 10-4, is still in contention in the league founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, who also serves as MPVA chairman.
Erika Jin Deloria led Biñan’s crucial win with 18 points, all from attacks, to keep the team in the hunt in the nine-team, two-round tournament, supported by Extreme One-Stop Shop Appliances, ASICS, Mikasa, and Gerflor, with MPTV and Outcomm as broadcast partners.
May Ann Nuique contributed 11 points, while Zen Perolino and Jen Villegas each added nine, as the Volley Angels dispatched the Lady Knights in just 80 minutes.
In contrast, Bacoor missed the chance to secure the second seed outright, falling in a surprising defeat to Caloocan, despite still having a promising shot at the seed with one game left against San Juan.
Iari Yongco-Quimson powered the Air Force Spikers’ upset over Bacoor, scoring 22 points on 18 kills and four blocks. She received strong support from May Ann Pantino-Deflem and Angel Antipuesto, who scored 16 and 10 points, respectively, as Caloocan improved to 7-7 with two games remaining.
Chamberlaine Cuñada led San Juan (6-9) with 12 points, while Jemalyn Menor contributed 16 points for Bacoor, the defending champion from the MPVA’s inaugural season before it expanded to its first full home-and-away season, organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
In another game, Valenzuela Classy (4-11) overcame WCC Marikina (0-15) with a 25-19, 26-24, 27-25 victory, fueled by 13 points from Javen Sabas.
