Courtesy: pvl.ph
CHERY Tiggo continued its impressive streak by hurdling another formidable opponent, beating Cignal, 26-24, 25-20, 26-24, to further solidify its position in a race for a spot in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Thursday night.
Siblings EJ and Eya Laure came up big in the clutch with the former hammering a crosscourt blast to put Chery Tiggo at match point and the latter sealing the hard-earned victory with an off-the-block hit after the Crossovers thwarted the HD Spikers’ final assault.
It was Chery Tiggo’s fifth straight win, an impressive run highlighted by triumphs over powerhouse teams Creamline and Petro Gazz, propelling the Crossovers to a tie with the Cool Smashers and the Angels at third with 6-2 records.
Cignal dropped to 5-3 in a disappointing loss that dented their own semis aspirations in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Chery Tiggo’s victory was built on remarkable comebacks in all three sets, particularly in the first where the Crossovers rallied from seven points down early on and from three points behind down the stretch.
Despite facing set point at 21-24, the Crossovers, led by Eya Laure, Ara Galang and Pauline Gaston, staged an incredible fightback, unloading five straight points to steal the set and leave the HD Spikers stunned.
Cignal also held the advantage midway through the second frame but Chery Tiggo again rallied to secure a commanding five-point win to go two sets up.
The HD Spikers looked poised to extend the match after wresting a 12-8 lead in the third. But like in the previous sets, the Crossovers mounted yet another strong rally to complete the unexpected sweep.
“Lahat ng panalo, pinagta-trabuhan,” said Eya Laure, acknowledging the philosophy instilled by coach Kung Fu Reyes with the Chery Tiggo team.
Eya Laure sustained her form and scored 16 points while EJ Laure came off the bench to fire 13 big points. Ara Galang backed them up with 11 points and Cza Carandang and Aby Maraño added eight and six points, respectively.
Mylene Paat also scored five points, including a couple of key shots late in the third that helped spike the Crossovers’ one-hour, 42-minute victory.
Cignal also drew 16 points from Ces Molina, but no other HD Spiker scored in double figures as Jovelyn Gonzaga settled for eight points and Gandler, Riri Meneses and playmaker Gel Cayuna finished with six points apiece.
Roselyn Doria struggled with five points but Jacqueline Acuña chipped in four markers for the HD Spikers, who will next face the Angels with the Crossovers also set to tackle another top contender in joint leader PLDT, both on Tuesday. pvl.ph
