La Salle’s Baron earns UAAP player of the week honors
FOR stepping up when her team needed her most in their season debut last weekend at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), reigning league most valuable player Majoy Baron of the De La Salle Lady Spikers was named the first recipient of the player of the week honors in women’s play in Season 80. Tallying 19 points, 12 off attacks, five from blocks and two service aces, graduating player Baron led the defending champions Lady Spikers to a gutsy five-set victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 25-20, 17- 25, 2522, 15- 25, 15-8, on opening day last Saturday.
With the team’s starting opposite hitter Kianna Dy hampered by a hyperextended left knee, La Salle turned to Baron to lead and she delivered accordingly, providing the needed steady play and leadership to get the better of the spirited and fiery Tigresses.
“We made a lot of adjustments since Kianna was not a hundred percent and good thing Majoy played consistent throughout the match,” said La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus following their win as he spoke of the stepped-up play of her veteran.
“Majoy is one of the veterans of the team and she already knows her responsibilities. As a team captain, I guess it comes natural for her, knowing some of her teammates are still young,” he added.
While she felt happy to have helped in steadying the ship for them in their opener and coming up with a win, Baron was quick to point out that they still need to work on their game, especially since bigger challenges are still ahead of them which they have to be ready for.
“For me, we still have to work on some things as the season progresses, like team chemistry. We know we can still be better and maybe this five-setter against UST could help us improve as a team,” Baron, who is a middle blocker, said.
In winning the player of the week award, Baron beat out National University’s Jaja Santiago, University of the Philippines’ (UP) Diana Carlos, and Far Eastern University’s Toni Rose Basas, all of whom also led their teams to victories in their season debuts at the weekend.
La Salle ( 1- 0) next takes the floor on Saturday, Feb. 10, against UP ( 1- 0).