PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Majoy Baron.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran spiker Majoy Baron provided composure and stability in the fifth set to help PLDT return to the PVL semifinals after a year of absence.
Baron scored four of her nine points in the fifth highlighted by a big block on Khat Bell to reach matchpoint 14-9 before Lena Samoilenko ended the game with another block to seal a 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9 win in the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“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 ever reliable middle blocker, who signed to PLDT last January after F2 Logistics’ disbandment.
Baron, who has been delivering the goods for the High Speed Hitters in the midseason tournament, said she’s already getting used to Rald Ricafort’s system with fellow newcomer Kim Fajardo.
READ: PVL: PLDT survives Khat Bell, Chery Tiggo to reach semis
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron and Lena Samoilenko after returning to the semifinals. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UtonLvLjAZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024
“Nakakaadjust kami sa sistema ng PLDT and bumagay yung laro namin. Nagtutulong tulong talaga kami sa training and sa games,” said the former La Salle star.
Fajardo, who had 23 excellent sets, stressed that PLDT’s return to the semis since the first All-Filipino Conference last year is because of their system and the team’s hunger to win it all this conference despite missing Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, Rhea Dimaculangan, and Dell Palomata.
“Motivation talaga yung trinabaho namin sila at saka yung gigil ba na gusto talaga namin manalo at saka tiwala sa isa’t isa,” she said. “Hindi ko iniisip na dahil sa addition namin kasi may sistema sila, kami yung pumasok so kami yung nagadjust sa sistema. So thankfully gumagana naman.”
Ricafort agreed with his players as they are eager to keep this run against the unbeaten No.1 seed Akari in another knockout game on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Philsports Arena.
READ: PVL: PLDT to help Majoy Baron regain her form with Mika Reyes still out
“Yung kagustuhan during the game na kahit down two sets na kami. Ang dami talagang pwedeng mangyaring ikatanggal ng focus namin. So yung binaon naming pasensya at saka extra effort, yun yung mas nagbunga samin ngayon,” said the PLDT coach, who led Petro Gazz to a Reinforced title two years ago before transferring last year.
Ricafort stressed that his team should bring the same hunger against the red-hot Chargers in the semifinal, eyeing a breakthrough finals appearance.
“Hindi naman sa amin mas may pressure. Kasi yung record naman namin hindi naman perfect eh. Nandoon pa rin kami sa nagttrabaho ami and ittry talaga namin ichallenge kung ano man yung ibigay samin,” he said.