Chery Tiggo overcame Imee Hernandez’s injury to turn back Nxled in four tight sets, 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 28-26, in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena, Thursday night.
Hernandez had to be assisted off the court late in the second set after landing awkwardly following a spike attempt, but it did not prevent the Crossovers from securing their third consecutive victory, tying them with PLDT at the second spot with a 5-1 record.
“Credit sa team ni coach Taka. Yung mga puntos na nakukuha namin talagang pinaghihirapan and ganun din sa kabila. So ang taas agad nung level na nilalaro ng kabila. Kami naman medyo masyadong malamig yung start namin,” said Chery Tiggo assistant coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Masyadong maaga yung pagpaparamdam ng Pasko, masyado kaming nilalamig so baka kulang sa siguro ano lang, talagang mas maganda yung nilaro ni Nxled especially sa first part ng game. Though all throughout naman nanjan, nakakabalik kami,” he added.
With the set scores tied at 1-1 heading into the third set, the Crossovers overcame a 14-20 deficit and went on an 8-2 run to even the score at 22-all.
An attack error by Eya Laure halted the Chameleons’ momentum, and then Pauline Gaston, Cza Carandang, and Mylene Paat scored three consecutive points to give Chery Tiggo a 2-1 lead.
Nxled didn’t back down, threatening to force a fifth set after Lycha Ebon scored on back-to-back possessions to give the Chameleons a 26-25 lead late in the fourth set.
Paat responded with a hit off the block before Nabor took charge, orchestrating two consecutive 1-2 plays that finally sealed the victory for Chery Tiggo after two hours and 28 minutes of gameplay.
“So ayun naman ang isa sa mga pinakamagandang ginawa namin as a group and may mga certain na galawan na talaga ang decision making manggagaling individually pero yung sinandalan talaga namin is kung ano meron yung team, that’s the word for today is yung ‘team’,” added Reyes.
Eya Laure led the Crossovers with 23 points, consisting of 20 attacks and three kill blocks, along with 13 excellent digs.
Paat, who played her second game since recovering from a foot injury, delivered her best performance so far with 16 points, while Cess Robles also contributed 16 points with 14 attacks, one block, and one ace, along with nine excellent receptions.
Nabor provided 20 excellent sets along with seven points, and Buding Duremdes contributed 11 excellent digs.
Chery Tiggo will aim to break the tie with PLDT on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.
On the other hand, Lycha Ebon led the Chameleons with 18 points, including 14 attacks and 10 excellent digs, while Jho Maraguinot and Camille Victoria each scored 15 points.
Nxled hopes to end their slump against Akari on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
