Baron, Macandili share limelight in Grand Prix
Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili were included among the region’s finest in their respective departments at the close of the ASEAN Grand Prix second leg over the weekend at the Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Sports Complex in Laguna.
But they are not contented with those individual citations just yet as Best Middle Blocker Baron and Best Libero Macandili hope to translate these solo jewels into medals when they vie in the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) set Nov. 30Dec. 11.
“I’m happy with this award. But I feel like it’s not enough. I know we still have a lot to offer as a team so we’re gonna work on that. We want a higher finish in the SEA Games,” said Macandili, who averaged more than four digs per set in the Philippines’ second straight bronze medal finish.
Individually, Macandili has vowed to even refine her game especially with the Filipina spikers expected to deliver in front of home fans in the coming biennial sports showpiece here.
“I still have many lapses. I want to contribute more for the team. I promise to improve and work more in training,” added the prized libero of F2 Logistics in the PSL.
Her Cargo Movers teammate, Baron, shared the same vision for the Philippine women’s volleyball team following her second straight Best Middle Blocker honor in the ASEAN GP.
“It’s deja vu for me having won the same award in Thailand but more than that, I’m happy that slowly but surely, we’re getting used to the competition and exposure on international level,” said Baron, who was joined by second leg individual winners Pleumjit Thinkaow (MVP) and Pimpichaya Kokram of Thailand (Best Spiker) together with Indonesia’s Tri Retno Mutiara (Best Setter) and Ratri Wulandari (Best Server).
“At least, we won’t be surprised with our opponents anymore come the SEA Games. At the same time, we’re learning as a team. We discovered our weaknesses and strengths that will be surely helpful in our SEA Games campaign,” she added.
ASEAN GP gold medalist Thailand and silver medalist Indonesia loom as the major hurdles to the bid of the Philippines to reclaim the volleyball championship since last winning it in 1993.