Mary Joy Baron showed that she is still a force in the middle as she led the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to a semifinals-clinching 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 win over the Foton Tornadoes in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The former De La Salle University Lady Spikers middle blocker finished with 12 points on nine attacks, two aces, and one block as the Cargo Movers finished their group stage matches with a 4-1 slate.
Baron credited her former Lady Spikers and now Cargo Movers teammate Kim Fajardo for the beautiful ball distribution that led to her attack points.
“Kapag may magagandang pasa, mas madaling maka-play ’yung gitna kaya thankful din ako kay ate Kim na minaximize niya ’yung mga plays sa akin,” Baron said.
“Thankful din ako sa trust ng coaches lalo na ni coach Regine (Diego) na ako ’yung ginagamit,” added the former national women’s volleyball team middle blocker.
Diego, for her part, said that she always trusts Baron to deliver for the Cargo Movers, amid the social media bashing that the former Lady Spikers was already too old for the starting middle blocker slot.
“Andaming nagsasabi na ‘hindi na kaya ni Majoy, she’s getting old,’ but I never really cared about that. I know this girl has the heart and the fire in her. Kailangan lang ilabas, kailangan lang ng time, kailangan lang ng recovery,” Diego said.
The Cargo Movers joined the Creamline Cool Smashers in the next round, where they will be joined by foreign guest teams Kurashiki Ablaze and Kinh Bac Bac Ninh.
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