BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Chery Tiggo moved a win away from a semifinals berth after picking up its third-straight win via a 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 sweep of Black Mamba-Army in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center, Wednesday evening.
The Crossovers claimed the third spot through a 6-2 standing while eliminating the Lady Troopers in the process.
Chery Tiggo wasted no time in dispatching Army, building a seven-point, 20-13 cushion off a quick from Joy Dacoron in the third set.
The Lady Troopers, though, did not give right away. They slashed the lead to three, 20-23, through a 7-3 blitz.
Dindin Santiago-Manabato placed Chery Tiggo at match-point, but Jovelyn Gonzaga answered right back to keep Army alive.
Shaya Adorador ended the match with an off-the-block hit.
“Actually, I’m happy again more than thankful to the players for performing,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Aaron Velez. “We just have to continue scouting the other teams. We need to invest on our physical conditioning and mental preparation.”
Santiago-Manabat unloaded 18 points, while Jaja Santiago added 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
Jasmine Nabor steered the offense with 29 excellent sets and three points. Mylene Paat ended up with eight points nine excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Gonzaga was the lone double-digit scorer for Army with 11 points laced with 12 excellent digs. Royse Tubino added eight markers.
The Lady Troopers fell to a 2-5 standing, tied with BaliPure at the sixth spot.
Chery Tiggo looks to solidify its slot on Saturday at 4:00 PM against Choco Mucho. Meanwhile, Army will face Perlas tomorrow at 4:00 PM.
“The mere fact that we can still play, so we just have to make use of it and be thankful the PVL is still here we just have to be more mindful as regards to the protocol,” Velez said about the league compressing its schedule due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the province.
