Jovelyn Gonzaga, the dazzling prize-catch of the Philippine Army, provided consolation for a visibly-disappointed Army team as she was adjudged MVP for the Shakey’s Season 10 Open Conference. Juvy likewise took the Best Attacker Award, in a simple awarding ceremony before the first game of the finals last Tuesday pitting the Cagayan Rising Suns and the Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers.
Two other Army Lady Troopers joined Juvy in the awards circle. The veteran Mary Jean Balse copped the Best Server Award, while statuesque Rachel Ann Daquis – arguably the face of women’s volleyball today – got a special award: the S.O.S. Clear Skin In & Out Of The Court Award.
Cagayan Rising Sun’s twin imports Kannika Thipachot and Soraya Phomia also received awards for their outstanding play. ‘Killer’ Kannika was adjudged Best Scorer, mostly from her booming spikes; while court general Soraya was awarded Best Setter.
Co-finalist Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers took home 2 individual awards as well. Defensive specialist Melissa Gohing grabbed the Best Digger Award, while the exciting Alyssa ‘Booming Baldo’ Valdez – destined to be the next face of Philippine women’s volleyball – took the other special award: the BioFit Tea Fittest Player of the Conference Award.
Two ladies from a non-semi-finalist team also made it to the podium. Maureen Ouano of the Meralco Power Spikers, displaying a never-say-die attitude at the net, took the Best Blocker Award, while her teammate, Jennelyn Reyes, took the Best Receiver Award.
To our lovely combination of beauty, brains and brawn, congratulations!!!
(Photos courtesy of Arnold Z Cruz, Shakey’s V-League and Pinoy Spikers.)
Color My World 