Few players are lucky enough to make the Finals in one UAAP Season. But for Majoy Baron, Tuesday will mark the fourth time she will enter the Finals stage.
She says that each Finals appearance feels special because of the different roles she’s had on the team. Having started in Season 76 as a seldom-used backup to Aby Maraño, Baron then developed into a solid starter and eventually earned the Best Blocker award in Season 78. It was no coincidence that the De La Salle University Lady Spikers also won the title in that season.
Baron, however, admits that Season 79 is especially rewarding since she’s one of the team’s veterans. Unlike last season when they had Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, and Cyd Demecillo, La Salle have not only pulled points and blocks from Baron, but also some leadership.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi isa na ako sa gumagawa. Iba din ‘yung feeling na magde-defend ka ng crown. Iba din kasi pag apak sa Finals, nagbabago talaga ‘yung intensity. Personally, confident ako kasi last season kami ‘yung champion,” Baron, who is a native of Concepcion, Tarlac, told Tiebreaker Times after La Salle trumped the University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals.
Facing the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles — a team that beat them twice in the elimination round — in the Finals, the 5-foot-11 middle hitter sees the intensity ramping up in the Finals, thus adding an element that can totally change the complexion of this series.
“Actually, disappointing talaga kasi pride ‘yung pinag-uusapan doon. Tinignan namin kung bakit kami natalo and in-improve namin ‘yun sa training,” the 20-year-old reflected about the Ateneo losses.
“For me naman, as a team, we’re confident naman.”
And with vengeance on their minds, Baron’s fourth finals appearance will have a lot more at stake.
