Chery Tiggo dug deep to overcome a resilient Galeries Tower side, securing a hard-fought 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-8 victory to return to the win column in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Pauline Gaston delivered key plays under pressure in the fifth set, leading Chery Tiggo to bounce back from their recent loss to the Akari Chargers last Tuesday.
The Ateneo de Manila University product spearheaded the Crossovers’ charge in the final frame, scoring three points in their 8-4 start to the fifth set.
Two consecutive attack errors from Audrey Paran and Jho Maraguinot, combined with an ace from Alina Bicar and an off-the-block hit from Shaya Adorador, gave Chery Tiggo a commanding 12-5 lead, ultimately sealing their fourth win in six outings.
Despite the back-and-forth battle, the crucial victory pushed Chery Tiggo to a 4-2 record, securing solo fourth place in the 12-team standings as the league enters its one-month holiday break.
(C) PVL Images
“Ako kanina after ng warmups sa net, ‘yon na agad ang usapan namin. Ito na yung last game namin before the holiday season so dapat full blast ang performance namin. Buti nagtranslate at masaya talaga na kahit nakakakaba, iba yung statement na natapos namin yung game na we showed character,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel.
Cess Robles led the Crossovers with 21 points, including 20 attacks and an ace, while team captain Aby Marano added 15 points.
Gaston contributed 14 points, all from attacks, while Adorador and Ara Galang chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Jen Nierva anchored Chery Tiggo’s defense with 21 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, while Jasmine Nabor recorded 13 excellent sets.
Chery Tiggo will aim to continue its winning streak into the new year, facing Cignal on January 21, 2025, at the same venue.
Galeries Tower, meanwhile, showed resilience throughout the match. After trailing 18-21 in the first set, they mounted a comeback, only to fall short, 28-30.
That momentum carried into the second set, where an attack error by Aby Marano allowed the Highrisers to win the frame, 25-20. They turned a 5-10 deficit in the third set into a commanding 25-19 victory, taking a 2-1 set advantage.
Gaston’s clutch performances helped Chery Tiggo force a decisive fifth set, where she scored three of the Crossovers’ last four points to win the fourth set, 25-16.
(C) PVL Images
France Ronquillo led Galeries Tower with 18 points, including 17 attacks, while Jewel Encarnacion added 16 points and seven digs.
Alyssa Eroa contributed 26 excellent digs, and Julia Coronel guided the offense with 12 excellent sets with five points.
Ysa Jimenez also tallied 15 points on 14 attacks as the Highrisers dropped to a 1-5 record, placing 11th in the standings.
Galeries Tower will look to bounce back when they face Petro Gazz on the same date and venue.
