Far Eastern University Tamaraws setter Ariel Cacao and National University Lady Bulldogs team captain Bella Belen earned the Players of the Week distinction after leading their respective teams.
The Tamaraws finished the elimination round on top of the standings with an impressive 13-1 win-loss record. Similarly, the Lady Bulldogs also secured the first seed with a 12-2 win-loss record.
Cacao dished out 29 excellent sets in the Tamaraws’ 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 victory against the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Saturday, April 26.
Meanwhile, Belen led the offense and defense of the Lady Bulldogs in the team’s 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 victory against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday, April 27.
Belen scored a game-high 26 points in 24 attacks and two blocks, with 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Here’s how the two players of the week played in their respective matchups.
Cacao’s performance against the Green Spikers
In a team full of firepower, Ariel Cacao of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws perfectly dished out sets to everyone as they won against the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, on Saturday, April 26.
Cacao dished out 29 excellent sets as the Tamaraws recorded 60 attack points, compared to just 52 of the Green Spikers.
Zhydryx Saavedra led the team with 25 points in 20 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Mikko Espartero contributed 15 points in 13 attacks and two blocks.
Amet Bituin added 11 points in 10 attacks and an ace, while Chad Absin, Lirick Mendoza, and Doula Ndongala combined for 20 points.
Cacao edged out teammate Saavedra, National University Bulldogs open spiker Jade Disquitado, University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers ace player Josh Ybañez, and De La Salle University Green Spikers player Noel Kampton for the citation.
Belen’s performance against the Golden Tigresses
Bella Belen proved that she is one of the favorites to win the MVP award this season when she showed both offense and defense skills in the Lady Bulldogs’ 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 victory against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday, April 27.
In that game, Belen had 53.33% attack efficiency, 51.51% digging efficiency, and 48.14% receiving efficiency. She ended the game with 26 points built on 24 attacks and two blocks with 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Despite this impressive performance, Belen said that she was still not content with how she played, especially now that the season is already in its Final Four matches.
She said, “Siguro po, personally, masasabi ko hindi pa masyado. Like, paunti-unti, kasi ganoon naman talaga kahit sino sa amin. Kumbaga, kailangan, kada game, nag-i-improve kami kahit kaunti, lalo na’t papasok na po sa Final Four.”
“So, kung kaya pa naming may ipakita pang bago every game, and mas taasan pa ‘yung paglalaro namin, ‘yun ‘yung gagawin namin. Ganoon naman po kami lagi, hindi kami nasa-satisfy sa kung anong naging performance namin.”
Belen bested her teammate Lams Lamina, Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraw Gerzel Petallo, De La Salle University team captain Angel Canino, University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses ace player Angge Poyos, and Adamson University’s rookie team captain Shaina Nitura for the weekly honors.
The Lady Bulldogs will have the twice-to-beat advantage as they face the Lady Tamaraws in the semifinals.
