Chery Tiggo staged a comeback from a one-to-two deficit to defeat Cignal in five sets, 17-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 16-14, extending its winning streak to five games in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Eya Laure assumed control in the deciding set, scoring three of the team’s final three points to finish with a game-high 26 points, including 21 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, along with 11 excellent digs in the victory.
The Crossovers held a 13-11 advantage in the final set after Mylene Paat and Laure contributed two points each in a four-to-one swing. However, the HD Spikers fought back with Ces Molina unloading two points in a 3-0 run that put Cignal at match point, 14-13.
Laure then took charge, dropping in a point to force the game into a deuce, followed by a Cza Carandang block on Ces Molina, helping Chery Tiggo move a point away from securing the victory.
The former UST star showcased why she’s one of the most coveted rookies this year, delivering a booming ace that allowed the Crossovers to complete their come-from-behind victory after two hours and 13 minutes of action.
“Five sets, everybody’s ball game. Kung sinong unang kumurap, sinong unang pumikit, lalabas ka ng court ang sasabihin mo sayang. Both teams yun, yun yung sakin,” said Chery Tiggo deputy coach Kung Fu Reyes, who continued to fill in for head coach Aaron Velez.
“Nagkataon lang tumama kami sa dulo, especially nung nag-deuce na so ayun na. Ano eh, nag-struggle kami all throughout pero all along na-check namin nang na-check hanggang sa nakuha namin,” he added.
Cess Robles once again provided a spark off the bench, unleashing 18 points to go along with nine excellent receptions, while Carandang and Paat chipped in 11 markers apiece for the Crossovers, who jumped to the second spot with a 7-1 slate.
Jasmine Nabor tossed 21 excellent sets to go along with four points, while Buding Duremdes and Jennifer Nierva took turns defending the floor, tallying 14 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions, respectively.
On the other hand, Vanie Gandler led the way for Cignal, whose winning run finally ended after five games, with 20 points.
Molina added 14 points, Riri Meneses chipped in 12, Jovelyn Gonzaga had 11, while Roselyn Doria and Gel Cayuna added 10 points each as the HD Spikers remained in the fourth place with a 6-3 record.
Chery Tiggo will take on F2 Logistics on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at the same Pasig arena, while Cignal will go up against Nxled earlier that day at 2:00 p.m.
