Quezon edged Biñan Tatak Gel 1-Pacman Partylist in a nail-biting series opener, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 17-15, to move within a win of claiming the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) championship on Monday night at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna.
Cristy Ondangan delivered in the clutch, leading the top-seeded Tangerines to claw back from a three-point deficit in the deciding set.
The road win gave Quezon a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals, inching the expansion franchise closer to a historic crown in the league established by former senator and MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
Despite minimal recovery time, Quezon will aim to clinch the title at home on Wednesday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.
Ondangan showcased her brilliance with 19 points on 15 attacks, two service aces, and two blocks. Her heroics came at a critical moment, including a decisive kill-block sequence in the extended fifth set.
Rhea Mae Densing, who top-scored with 22 points, set the tone early, but it was Ondangan’s crosscourt hit that gave Quezon a 16-15 edge after trailing 10-13 in the tiebreaker. She then sealed the game by denying May Ann Nuique’s equalizer attempt.
Joining the offensive onslaught were Mary Grace Borromeo and Mycah Go, who contributed 18 and 14 points, respectively, ensuring Quezon’s balanced attack to neutralize Biñan’s momentum.
The third-seeded Volley Angels, riding high after a stunning semifinal upset of the twice-to-beat Bacoor Strikers, pushed Quezon to the brink.
With the home crowd behind them, Biñan erased a 2-1 set deficit with a gutsy fourth-set win and appeared poised to complete another stunner.
However, they faltered at the finish line.
Nuique (19 points), Erika Jin Deloria (16), and Shane Carmona (10) paced Biñan in the loss. Now facing elimination, the Volley Angels must summon their trademark resilience to win back-to-back games and overturn the series against the Tangerines.
In the battle for third place, No. 4 seed Rizal St. Gerrard Charity Foundation swept Bacoor, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, to claim the bronze medal.
Rizal’s dominant victory further extended Bacoor’s struggles, handing the former champions their third consecutive loss following a surprising semifinal exit.
Johna Denise Dolorito (13 points) and Janeth Tulang (10 points) led Rizal’s charge, while Winnie Bedaña’s 11-point effort wasn’t enough to prevent Bacoor from settling for fourth place. Bacoor’s disappointing finish was a far cry from their triumph in the MPVA’s inaugural season, organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
The MPVA, supported by Extreme One-Stop Shop Appliances, ASICS, Mikasa, and Gerflor, with MPTV and Outcomm as broadcast partners, has crowned new stars while showcasing thrilling volleyball action in its second season.
