The reigning champion Quezon Tangerines extended their winning run to 9 games while the Caloocan AM Spikers finally barged into the win column of the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) on Wednesday night at the Marikina Sports Center.
The Tangerines drubbed the ICC Negros Blue Hawks, 25-22, 25-20, 26-28, to solidify their hold of the No. 2 seed and stay within striking distance from the unbeaten Dasma Monarchs who are still spotless in 10 games.
Caloocan, after going winless in nine starts, finally broke through with a 25-19, 25-19, 18-25, 25-13 triumph against the Marikina Lady Shoemasters albeit both squads have already been already eliminated.
Shahanna Lleses rifled in 16 points on 14 hits, an ace and a block to lead the way for the Tangerines who dropped their opener against the Monarchs before wiping out every opponent since then.
Shekaina Lleses and Zamantha Nolasco contributed 14 each for Quezon, backed by four-peat NCAA champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the upstart regional volleyball league founded by also MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
Fiona Mae Inocentes had seven while Camila Amor Bartolome and Yesha Keith Rojo scored five apiece as the Tangerines continued to prime up for a revenge bid against the Monarchs in the last playdate of the second round.
Andrea Caparal’s 22 points went down the drain for the Blue Hawks, who slid to 3-5 to fall farther from the Final Four picture at No. 6 in the MPVA backed by Mikasa, Asics, Spurway Enterprise, Gerflor, Smart Communications and XIV Apparel.
For Caloocan, Sheeka Gin Espinosa and Zonxi Jane Dahab joined forces with 13 points each to finally lift their squad to maiden win at the expense of fellow cellar-dweller Marikina.
The AM Spikers, who also drew 11 and 10 points from Angelique Ledesma and Rhea Manalo, respectively, banked on a 2-0 start to set the tone en route to a huge revenge in two hours and nine minutes after losing in the first round.
Liam Lenguaje was the lone bright spot for Marikina, which tripped to 1-10 for eighth place in in the tailend of the two-round MPVA organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
