Chery Tiggo once again showcased its balanced offensive firepower to secure a spot in the 2025 PVL On Tour championship match, defeating Cignal in four sets, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
This marks the Crossovers’ first Finals appearance since their championship run in the 2021 PVL Open Conference held in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. However, it’s important to note that the On Tour is a preseason tournament — the league’s first in its professional era.
The victory also guarantees Chery Tiggo its first podium finish since that bubble conference championship.
(C) PVL Images
“Well, nakaka-proud ‘yung buong team, ‘yung players namin, ‘yung kasama ko sa coaching staff, ‘yung mga PT,” said Crossovers head coach Norman Miguel after the two-hour, 16-minute match.
“Masaya kasi hindi naman talaga madali ‘yung pinagdadaanan namin, especially these past few days merong mga players talaga na hindi nakaka-attend sa training kasi may sakit… Buti na-manage namin siya, eto na ‘yung resulta. Maraming salamat talaga, grateful kay Lord,” he continued.
To earn their ticket to the gold medal match, Chery Tiggo had to withstand a fiery late rally from Cignal in the fourth set.
Down by six points and just three points away from clinching the win, the Crossovers faced fierce resistance from the HD Spikers.
Off-the-bench spiker Heather Guino-o injected life into Cignal’s fading hopes, combining efforts with consistent scorer Erika Santos to narrow the gap to a single point, 22-23, following Guino-o’s ace.
Imee Hernandez quickly responded with a hit to put Chery Tiggo at match point, 24-22, but Santos answered back. Finally, Ara Galang sealed the deal with a crosscourt hit, securing the win and a spot in the Final round.
The Crossovers will now await their opponent in the title clash, which will be decided between the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Creamline Cool Smashers in a match scheduled later in the day.
Jasmine Nabor, one of three remaining Crossovers from the 2021 championship team, contributed five points and delivered 21 excellent sets, helping four teammates reach double digits in scoring.
Cess Robles showcased an all-around performance with 15 points, 11 digs, and 11 receptions, while Galang also tallied 15 points.
Hernandez added 12 points, including four of Chery Tiggo’s 12 blocks, and Renee Peñafiel chipped in 10 points.
(C) PVL Images
Chery Tiggo had earlier handed the HD Spikers their first and only loss of the tournament prior to today’s game, winning 25-13, 26-28, 25-15, 25-15 at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo on July 19.
Santos once again led Cignal with 26 points, including 22 spikes and four blocks, while Ishie Lalongisip contributed 13 points and 11 receptions.
The HD Spikers now aim to end their campaign on the podium as they prepare to face the loser of the High Speed Hitters–Cool Smashers match in the bronze medal game.
