Majoy Baron shone the brightest when the stakes were highest.
In the fifth set of PLDT’s do-or-die quarterfinals clash with Chery Tiggo, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Concepcion, Tarlac had managed just five points, with her presence barely felt.
However, with no more lifelines available and the match possibly being their final set in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, the one-time UAAP MVP rose to the occasion for the High Speed Hitters.
Trailing 3-4 early in the decisive set, Baron played a crucial role in turning the tide, helping PLDT secure a 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory over Chery Tiggo and a spot in the semifinals. Baron contributed three points during a pivotal run of four unanswered points that gave her team an 8-4 lead, which proved insurmountable.
Chery Tiggo’s import, Khat Bell, had already scored 40 points and was aiming for 41 with her team down 9-13, but Baron came up big with a solid rejection to secure the match point.
For the 28-year-old spiker from Concepcion, Tarlac, playing under high pressure is what athletes should strive for.
(C) PVL Images
“Pinaghugutan ko lang yung experience not only doon sa buong conference but also sa buong volleyball career na pag ganitong pitpitan mas masarap maglaro,” said the De La Salle University product.
Baron is no stranger to high-stakes moments, having excelled at the collegiate level, in the professional ranks, and on the international stage.
She is a three-time UAAP champion with the Lady Spikers and a four-time gold medalist in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Individually, she has won two MVP awards—one in college and one in the semi-pro ranks—and earned eight Best Middle Blocker titles in her local career.
Her international resume is equally impressive, including two Best Middle Blocker awards in the ASEAN Grand Prix, now known as the Southeast Asia V.League.
PLDT will face an undefeated Akari squad in the semifinals, which is on a nine-game winning streak. Baron believes that with the entire team, including Russian import Lena Samoilenko, fully acclimated to head coach Rald Ricafort’s system, anything is possible.
The High Speed Hitters are aiming for their first PVL title, with their highest previous finish being fourth place.
“Naka-adjust kami sa sistema ng PLDT and bumagay yung laro namin and nagtutulungan talaga kami sa training at sa games,” she said.
