Defending champion Chery Tiggo picked up its first win in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open by sending Black Mamba-Army to the brink of elimination, 25-22, 25-17, 25-19, on Tuesday night at the Paco Arena and Sports Center.
Mylene Paat dropped 20 points off 14 attacks, four blocks, and two aces along with nine digs to lead Chery Tiggo’s first win of the conference while Dindin Santiago-Manabat added 17 points.
“We just want to bring out the best in our players,” said Crossovers head coach Aaron Velez. “We know for a fact that these are already experienced players, we just have to go back to our basics and lessen our errors.”
Maika Ortiz chipped in seven markers for the Crossovers. Buding Duremdes had 11 digs and seven receptions while Jasmine Nabor dished out 24 excellent sets.
Chery Tiggo led by as much as nine points, 22-13, in the third set before ending the match with two consecutive blocks.
“We just have to trust ourselves. As a team, as a unit, before coming to this match, I told the ladies that they all have God-given talents. We just have to believe in ourselves and we have to work as a team,” said Velez.
“Moving forward, we just have to prepare for the next matches and hopefully it turns to a win,” added Velez.
Royse Tubino was the lone double-digit scorer for the Lady Troopers with 11 points.
Michelle Morente added five points and 10 digs in the loss while Jeanette Villareal and Ging Balse-Pabayo had five and four points, respectively.
The Crossovers ended Group A with a 1-3 slate while the Lady Troopers remained winless with a 0-3 standing.
Black Mamba-Army will face the undefeated Cignal on Thursday at 3:00 PM.
