Chery Tiggo survived the scare from Akari, taking a 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 15-6 win in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Thursday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
After seeing their rally fell short in the first set, the Crossovers bounced back in the second frame through the efforts of Mylene Paat, EJ Laure, and Cza Carandang – to equalize, 25-21.
But Prisilla Rivera, Janine Marciano, and the Chargers regained the lead after a 25-21 third salvo before Chery Tiggo responded again with a strong start in the fourth canto to force a decider, 25-21.
And on the fifth period, it was all Crossovers as they raced to an 8-2 lead, four courtesy of Montenegrin import Jelena Cvijovic, en route to the 15-6 clincher.
“Talagang slow start kami so ano lang more on boosting lang ng morale nila saka positive lang lagi ‘yung sinasabi namin na kaya natin, igalaw lang natin ‘yung dapat nating igalaw,” said Chery Tiggo coach Clarence Esteban.
Paat, who had her moments with Rivera on-court, dropped a team-high 19 points, leading four Crossovers in double figures.
Carandang chimed in 18 points, including two aces, while Cvijovic played her best game with 16 points and 13 excellent receptions.
“Nag-eexert kasi talaga siya (Cvijovic) ng effort, talagang kita naman na gustong-gusto niya bumawi. Talagang lumalapit siya sa akin kung anong dapat niyang gawin at anong gusto kong gawin para sa kanya,” shared Esteban on her reinforcement, who tallied six and 12 points only in their first two outings.
Laure also helped with 14 points and 12 digs in the win that hiked Chery Tiggo to solo first at 3-0, while the Chargers fell to 1-2, knotted at seventh with F2 Logistics.
Rivera paced Akari with 30 points on 29 attacks, while Marciano had a triple-double of 24 points, 18 digs, and 14 excellent receptions.
The Chargers will have little time to recover as it will be back on Saturday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna, facing Petro Gazz at 2:30 pm.
The Crossovers will play on Tuesday against Choco Mucho at the same Pasig venue.
