Chery Tiggo dealt the short-handed F2 Logistics a rude welcome, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, to open its 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign with a win, Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Crossovers went up against a Cargo Movers side that missed the services of American import Lindsay Stalzer, CJ Saga, Tin Tiamzon (health and safety protocols), and Dawn Macandili (undisclosed injury).
Open hitter Ara Galang and middle blocker Aby Maraño took turns filling in for Macandili.
“Actually, nagulat kami nung dumating yung lineup nila na ganun. We’re taking it na parang advantage kasi hindi yung original na positions yung nilalaro nila. Syempre yung posisyon nila umaatake sila, pumapasa sila tapos bigla silang nag-libero so malaking kawalan sila,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Clarence Esteban.
“Pero credit sa kanila kasi nag-perform pa rin naman yung mga libero nila kahit hindi nila posisyon. Yun nga lang yung positioning, medyo nawala sila,” he added.
Mylene Paat took charge for the Crossovers with 16 points, all of which came from the attack line, while EJ Laure added 11 markers.
Montenegrin import Jelena Cvijovic was limited to just six points in her PVL debut but grabbed 10 excellent receptions and seven digs.
F2 Logistics actually started the game well and was already on its way to bagging the opener after Kalei Mau connected from the service line which gave them a 23-18 advantage. That, however, proved to be the last of it as the Crossovers went on a 7-0 blast capped off by three straight points from Laure to steal the set.
Chery Tiggo carried its momentum to the second set and led by as much as nine points, 15-6, before eventually mounting a 2-0 advantage.
In the third frame, the Crossovers turned a 12-14 disadvantage into a 20-14 lead all thanks to Jasmine Nabor, who scored three points in a key 7-0 run.
Ivy Lacsina, Kim Fajardo, and Kalei Mau tried to keep their side alive, sparking a 6-1 blast that trimmed the lead to just two points, 22-24, before Paat converted the game-winning hit.
Mau, who just made her PVL debut after skipping the Open Conference earlier this year, dropped 20 points on 17 attacks and three aces on top of eight receptions in a losing cause.
No other player reached the double-digit mark with Kianna Dy and Lacsina finishing with nine and seven points, respectively, for F2 Logistics, which was coming off a one-conference break after skipping the Invitationals.
Chery Tiggo will go up against Cignal on Saturday at 5:30 PM while F2 Logistics looks to bounce back against Choco Mucho on Thursday also at 5:30 PM.
