Majoy Baron, five other PVL players eye Korean V-League stint
Published Mar 27, 2023 09:53 am
Majoy Baron will try her luck for an international opportunity anew as she seeks a spot in the Korean V-League.
The F2 middle blocker, who was supposed to launch her overseas pro career in Taiwan last May 2021 but fell through due to the Covid-19 pandemic, awaits her fate.
*Majoy Baron of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. (PVL Images)*
As part of the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Asian quota, the league has invited six Premier Volleyball players in Baron, along with her teammate Iris Tolenada, reigning Best Setter Jia Morado of Creamline, Dindin Santiago-Manabat of Akari, Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo and MJ Phillips of Petro Gazz. “Dream pa rin namin. Parang next step na iyon for us na makapaglaro internationally and hangga’t may opportunity naman na dumadating, why not kunin. Kasi hindi natin alam hangga’t kailan may naghihintay sa atin, so excited ako if ever,” said Baron, who chipped in nine points in the Cargo Movers’ Game One win over the PLDT High Speed Hitters in their battle for third best-of-three series on March 26. Baron and Tolenada await their career break outside the country as the league’s decision will be announced on April 21 in an online ceremony. It was actually Jaja Santiago’s manager who reached out to the 2019 ASEAN Best Middle Blocker to try out for the Korean league, which was originally set to take place in Jeju Island in Korea. However, the applicants were eventually asked to send videos instead of traveling there. Both F2 players see the opportunity as something beneficial for local players to “understand that there is more out there.” Their team was also supportive of the opportunity and potential move to the neighboring Asian country once they get accepted next month. With Filipino pro and collegiate players taking their talents elsewhere outside the country, Baron is confident in their chances to succeed in he Korean V-League and better themselves in the process. “Siyempre malaki iyong pressure kasi ‘yong level of play sa Korea mas mataas kaysa sa atin dito. So, kailangan talaga namin paghandaan if ever. And kami naman lagi naman kami nagwo-work hard sa lahat ng trainings namin and for sure kami ni iris magpe-prepare kami if ever makuha kami. “If ever, ang dami na rin na Filipino athlete na nagta-try and nagsa-succeed na rin sa ibang bansa,” said Baron. The Cargo Movers, who are a win away from their first ever PVL podium finish, will be taking on the revenge-seeking High Speed Hitters in Game Two of the battle for third match on Tuesday, March 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
*Majoy Baron of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. (PVL Images)*
As part of the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Asian quota, the league has invited six Premier Volleyball players in Baron, along with her teammate Iris Tolenada, reigning Best Setter Jia Morado of Creamline, Dindin Santiago-Manabat of Akari, Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo and MJ Phillips of Petro Gazz. “Dream pa rin namin. Parang next step na iyon for us na makapaglaro internationally and hangga’t may opportunity naman na dumadating, why not kunin. Kasi hindi natin alam hangga’t kailan may naghihintay sa atin, so excited ako if ever,” said Baron, who chipped in nine points in the Cargo Movers’ Game One win over the PLDT High Speed Hitters in their battle for third best-of-three series on March 26. Baron and Tolenada await their career break outside the country as the league’s decision will be announced on April 21 in an online ceremony. It was actually Jaja Santiago’s manager who reached out to the 2019 ASEAN Best Middle Blocker to try out for the Korean league, which was originally set to take place in Jeju Island in Korea. However, the applicants were eventually asked to send videos instead of traveling there. Both F2 players see the opportunity as something beneficial for local players to “understand that there is more out there.” Their team was also supportive of the opportunity and potential move to the neighboring Asian country once they get accepted next month. With Filipino pro and collegiate players taking their talents elsewhere outside the country, Baron is confident in their chances to succeed in he Korean V-League and better themselves in the process. “Siyempre malaki iyong pressure kasi ‘yong level of play sa Korea mas mataas kaysa sa atin dito. So, kailangan talaga namin paghandaan if ever. And kami naman lagi naman kami nagwo-work hard sa lahat ng trainings namin and for sure kami ni iris magpe-prepare kami if ever makuha kami. “If ever, ang dami na rin na Filipino athlete na nagta-try and nagsa-succeed na rin sa ibang bansa,” said Baron. The Cargo Movers, who are a win away from their first ever PVL podium finish, will be taking on the revenge-seeking High Speed Hitters in Game Two of the battle for third match on Tuesday, March 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.