Chery Tiggo EV finally broke through, romping Galeries Tower in straight sets, 25-9, 25-16, 25-23, to notch its first win in Pool B of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Crossovers had been on the verge of victory multiple times, only to falter down the stretch. But they left no room for doubt this time, as they came out firing on all cylinders.
Chery Tiggo EV dominated the first two sets before surviving a tight third to finally barge into the win column with a 1-3 record.
With the Highrisers threatening to extend the game to a fourth set, the Crossovers rediscovered the composure that had been missing in their previous outings. They used it to fend off the late rally and secure the one-hour, 22-minute win.
Montenegrin reinforcement Jelena Cvijović, who once suited up for the Crossovers in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, committed a crucial attack error that handed her former squad a 23-22 edge. Rookie middle blocker Jean Asis, however, answered with a running hit to tie the count at 23.
But with the game hanging in the balance, Pauline Gaston — stepping up in the absence of Imee Hernandez — delivered a quick hit. Then Shaya Adorador closed it out with a clutch off-the-block kill to seal Chery Tiggo EV’s first win of the tournament.
(C) PVL Images
“Masaya ako sa team, especially sa third set dahil bumalik ‘yung dating character namin na kailangan naming kumapit at tapusin ‘yung game,” said Crossovers head coach Norman Miguel.|
“I think ‘yun ‘yung wala nung last three games namin, especially nung game against Akari and game against Petro Gazz na for me, kaya namin manalo dun. Pero nawala kasi ‘yung ganung element eh,” he added.
Yunieska Batista, a Kazakh-Cuban winger, delivered 20 points — 19 from the attack line — to lead Chery Tiggo EV.
Ara Galang led the way with 11 points and six excellent digs, while Pauline Gaston chipped in 10 points built on eight attacks and two blocks.
Imee Hernandez missed her third straight game while continuing rehab on her left knee.
Chery Tiggo EV will look to sustain its momentum when it takes on defending champion Creamline on Tuesday, 6:30 PM at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Highrisers, who missed starting setter Julia Coronel for the second straight game, continued to crash down. They have absorbed their fourth consecutive loss to drop to 0-4.
Ivy Perez paced the team with seven points to go along with 13 excellent sets, while Cvijovic was held to just six points but had 17 excellent receptions.
Dimdim Pacres also had seven markers. Roselle Baliton, France Ronquillo, and Jean Asis all had six points.
Galeries Tower aims to break through and end the opening round on a high note against Akari, also on Tuesday at 1:30 PM.
