By John Bryan Ulanday
F2 Logistics middle blocker Majoy Baron just would not be stopped from collecting jewels this year as she bagged a triple jackpot in the recently concluded Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference.
The former La Salle stalwart was hailed as the Best Middle Blocker, her sixth citation in an illustrious PSL career, after registering 15 points on nine hits, four blocks and two aces to help the Cargo Movers retain their Invitationals crown with a thrilling five-set grind over rival Petron.
And in the process, Baron clinched her first Superliga MVP award to cap off a magnificent conference coming from an equally impressive stint with the Philippine women’s volleyball team last month.
“I still could not believe it. I thought it was just a Best Middle Blocker award but then, there’s the surprise MVP citation. It’s surreal. I’m just blessed this year,” said Baron who was also named back-to-back Best Middle Blocker in the two-leg ASEAN Grand Prix last month held here and in Thailand.
Baron played down her recent achievements, deflecting the credits to her teammates and coaching staff led by Ramil De Jesus who transformed her into one of the country’s best volleybelle today.
For De Jesus, Baron’ success is the result of her hardwork in training and huge international exposure after serving as one of the catalysts in the national team’s back-to-back bronze medal finish in the inaugural ASEAN GP.
“She just works hard in training. She loves what she does and there’s the result of that. Her ASEAN GP exposure in Thailand and here in the Philippines also helped,” added the seasoned mentor.
Baron, however, is not satisfied just yet despite the surplus of personal and club diadems in her bag as she sets sight on realizing the ultimate prize and that is to help the Philippines win the gold medal in the SEA Games.
“I’m excited with the national team camp. I’m excited to get it going because it will be my first SEA Games ever. We’re already here so might as well dream big right? We’ll work hard for it. We’ll go through every process and we should trust that process,” she concluded.
Joining Baron as PSL Invitational Conference awardees were Petron’s Angel Legacion (Best Setter), Aiza Maizo-Pontillas (Best Opposite Spiker) and Sisi Rondina (1st Best Outside Spiker, Best Scorer), Cignal’s Roselyn Doria (2nd Best Middle Blocker) together with Foton’s Shaya Adorador (2nd Best Outside Spiker) and Jen Reyes (Best Libero).
