Chery Tiggo was the hottest team in the Premier Volleyball League heading into the 2024 All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
The Crossovers had won a whopping seven straight games to end the elimination round.
But that burning streak was doused from the heavens above. The Petro Gazz Angels delivered a stunning 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 victory on Tuesday night for the early semis lead at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
For Crossovers head coach Kungfu Reyes, the team needs to recalibrate and return to their better version – the team that won seven straight matches including big ones against Creamline, Petro Gazz, Cignal, and PLDT.
“Light lang naman kami sa huddle kanina. Ni-remind namin na hindi ito yung team na nanalo ng seven straight games, especially yung sets two, three, and four,” shared Reyes postgame.
“Wake-up call ito para sa amin na iba na yung bakbakan pagdating ng semis,” he added.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
Now, the Crossovers have shifted their focus to entering the win column of the semifinals. They currently rank fourth in the standings with a 0-1 record (0 points).
Chery Tiggo’s next game will be on Thursday against Choco Mucho, which is coming off a monumental reverse sweep against Creamline.
Then the Crossovers will cap the semis against the Cool Smashers on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Ang iniisip namin is paano kami magre-recover siyempre coming from a loss. Bukod sa physical recovery, yung mental kasi nga for the past seven games, naitawid namin,” said Reyes as they look for the mental fortitude they displayed in their winniing run.
“Mindsetting na kasi wala ka naman ng maitatago. Nakalabas naman na lahat talagang sino ang pinakamagandang galawan, yun talaga ang mananaig diyan.”
