Biñan Tatak Gel triumphed over ICC Negros, winning 25-16, 25-16, 26-24, to extend its lead over pursuers for the coveted fourth spot in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association Season 1 on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna.
Fueled by an enthusiastic home crowd, the Volley Angels dominated the first two sets and held on just enough in the extended third set, thanks to Erika Deloria’s impressive performance, where she scored 19 points.
Deloria contributed 18 attacks and one service ace, helping Biñan improve their record to 9-5 and solidifying their grip on the fourth and final semifinal spot in the nine-team MPVA, which was founded by former Senator and MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
She received strong support from teammates Shane Carmona and Chreizel Aguilar, who added 11 and 10 points, respectively, as Biñan prepares for another home game against Caloocan on Tuesday to strengthen their semifinal bid.
This victory against Negros mirrored Biñan’s previous match, where they secured a convincing 25-14, 25-17, 25-22 win over Valenzuela at home just days earlier.
With this win, the Volley Angels have created a comfortable gap between themselves and the San Juan Lady Knights (6-7) and the AM Caloocan Air Force (5-7) as the MPVA enters the homestretch of its two-round season backed by sponsors including Extreme One-Stop Shop Appliances, ASICS, Mikasa, and Gerflor, with MPTV and Outcomm serving as broadcast partners.
In another match, San Juan secured a crucial victory, defeating Valenzuela 25-9, 25-11, 19-25, 15-25, 15-10, keeping them in contention for the playoffs.
Grace Cabadin and Chamberlaine Cuñada led the Lady Knights with 15 and 13 points, respectively, as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win in the deciding set.
This outcome stands in stark contrast to San Juan’s earlier comeback victory against Negros, where they rallied from two sets down to win 22-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-14, 15-12, also in Biñan.
For Valenzuela (2-10), Javen Sabas and Abegail Nuval each scored 14 points, while Christa Lynn Collado contributed nine for Negros (4-9), leaving both teams further behind in the chase for a spot in the Final Four of this emerging league organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
