Negros Oriental and Rizal booked first wins against separate counterparts as the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, led by founder Manny Pacquiao announced a roaring introduction as the newest volleyball league in the country.
Negros Oriental Lady Blue Hawks swept past the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 25-23, 25-16, 25-19, while the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers fended off San Juan-Go For Gold Philippine Navy, 29-27, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Angel Habacon and Gelah Lopez fired 15 and 12 points, respectively, to show the way for Negros Oriental in spiking the MPVA’s historic first win.
For Rizal, Joan Doguna rifled in 16 points all on attacks while Janeth Tulang and Johna Dolorito added 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the explosive opener of MPVA backed by Xtreme, Volleyball Masters Philippines, Mikasa, Gerflor and Asics
Florence Madulid and Patty Orendain led the tough stand of San Juan with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Rhea Manalo, with eight points, paced Caloocan.
No less than Pacquiao, who also established the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League headlined the grand opening ceremony of yet another upstart league aimed at showcasing the country’s homegrown talents – this time in volleyball.
“For the pioneering eight teams, thank you for being with us. I am sure next year, more teams will be joining as sports is always a good source of discovering Filipino talents,” said the boxing legend and former Senator.
Joining Pacquiao in the opening ceremony were Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, Biñan City Vice Mayor Gel Alonte and Marikina City Councilor Elvis Tolentino with MPVA officials led by Commissioner Mike Tavera, Emmerson Oreta and Atty. Glen Gacal.
Aside from Negros, Rizal, Caloocan and San Juan which ushered in the MPVA, also in the fray are the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, Biñan City, Nasipit from Agusan Del Norte and Bacoor City Strikers.
All eight squads will duke it out in the single-round robin format for the eliminations before being bunched into two groups in the playoffs, where they will battle once more to determine the final rankings for the quarterfinals.
Higher-ranked clubs will enjoy twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals until the semifinals and finals, which will be both under best-of-three series formats for the first MPVA season with Media Pilipinas TV, Cignal, ONE PH and Plus Network as broadcast partners.
Games on Wednesday (Bacoor)
3:30 p.m. – Caloocan vs Marikina
6 p.m. – Nasipit vs Bacoor