Quezon Tangerines completed a sweep of Biñan Tatak Gel 1-Pacman Partylist following a 25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-15 win in Game 2 to capture the title of the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) late Wednesday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Compared to their heart-stopping five-set escape in Game 1 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, the Tangerines had an easier time as they flaunted their firepower in front of the massive home crowd that included Quezon Gov. Helen Tan.
Rhea Mae Densing was named as Most Valuable Player, capping her coronation with 17 points on 17 hits as Quezon ruled the first home-and-away season of this event founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Densing fired 22 points in Game 1, where the Tangerines pulled off a 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 17-15 comeback win on the road.
Mary Grace Borromeo rifled in a game-high 18 points while Game 1 hero Cristy Ondangan and seasoned spiker Mycah Go added 16 points each to back up Densing in yet another scattered onslaught for Quezon, which is made up of the championship core of three-peat National Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of Saint Benilde.
MPVA Best Setter Chenae Basarte quarterbacked that potent offense with Densing also earning the Best Opposite Hitter and Ondangan winning the First Best Middle Blocker awards for Quezon.
Wanting no let-up from a massive Game 1 win on the road and especially eyeing no potential winner-take-all Game 3, the Tangerines clicked from all cylinders marked by a 10-point win in the clinching fourth set.
Quezon’s lone defeat was in the extended second set, 24-26, as it dominated the gritty third-ranked Biñan side after its semifinal series upset win against twice-to-beat armed Bacoor.
Erika Jin Deloria, the First Best Outside Hitter, had 18 points while Shane Carmona added 15 for the Volley Angels in a commendable runner-up finish.
Second Best Middle Blocker Zenith Perolino also added 10 points for Biñan that scored 25-21, 26-24, 25-21 and 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 victories against Bacoor in the semis to gain a shot at Quezon.
May Ann Nuique (Best Homegrown Player) of Biñan, Jonah Denise Dolorito (Second Best Outside Hitter) and Angelica Blue Guzman (Best Libero) of bronze medalist Rizal St. Gerrard Charity Foundation were the other individual awardees of this event organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.