F2 Logistics’ Majoy Baron. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Majoy Baron has been repaying the trust of her coaches, displaying her deadly form at the frontline of F2 Logistics in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
The 27-year-old middle blocker continued to deliver in her return to the starting six this conference, helping the Cargo Movers advance to the semifinal round after sweeping the Foton Tornadoes, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14, in their Pool B game on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
“My mindset is just to do my job because my focus every game is to help my team. I’m also thankful for the trust of my coaches because they have been trusting me [as a starter],” said Baron in Filipino after scoring 12 points built on a 9-of-12 attacking clip, two aces, and a block.
Baron, who was coming off the bench in the All-Filipino Conference, returned to the starting six after Ivy Lacsina was converted as an outside spiker and she has been instrumental in F2 Logistics’ four wins out of five games in the pool phase, averaging 0.65 blocks per set before this game.
F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego never doubted the 5-foot-11 middle blocker’s capabilities, knowing that she will display her deadly presence in the middle.
“I’m very happy for Majoy because I know that many are saying Majoy can’t do it anymore, she’s getting old,’ blah, blah, blah… I never really cared about that, I know this girl has the heart and I know this girl has the fire inside of her that just needs to be unleashed. She just needs time and recovery,” said Diego.
“Hopefully, she will do more in the future but I know na as long as she continues to believe in her teammates it’s going to happen, more [Player of the game honors] for her.”
After advancing to the round-robin semifinals, Baron vows to stay ready and continue helping the Cargo Movers.
“Philippine volleyball is different nowadays so we have to prepare for every game. Whoever is more determined to win and more prepared will have the edge. For our team, we will continue to work hard every training and every game. We’ll get there,” she said.
F2 Logistics, which will carry over a 1-0 record heading to the semis, will play in another round-robin against the Japanese squad Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh as well as the defending champion and Pool A sweeper Creamline (1-0) and the winner between PLDT-Chery Tiggo match on Tuesday evening.
Baron, a Philippine women’s volleyball team mainstay, hopes to show their strengths when they battle the visiting foreign clubs.
“For me, I’m already used to playing foreign teams since I played for the national team. Regardless of who we face Japan, Vietnam, or another country, we have to bring out the strengths of our team,” she said.