Chery Tiggo moved to a win away from the semis after beating Choco Mucho in four sets, 29-27, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20 in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
Mylene Paat overcame cramps early in the fourth set to finish with a game-high 25 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and two aces and lead the Crossovers to a league-best 4-0 record.
“Yung una talaga nag-struggle kami, maganda sana yung pangumpisa namin pero nung bandang gitna medyo nawala kami at gumanda rin yung nilaro ng kabila pero kahit papaano yung composure ng team namin is hindi nawala,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Clarence Esteban.
“Yung pagkapit don at the end hanggang doon sa dulo nandon sila na gustong manalo talaga,” he added.
EJ Laure added 15 points on 10 attacks, two kill blocks, and three aces. Jelena Cvijovic chipped in 10 points, 21 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs while Cza Carandang continued her stellar play with nine markers for the Crossovers.
Facing a 13-16 disadvantage in the fourth frame, Carandang poured three points in a 6-0 blast that turned the set around and gave Chery Tiggo a 19-16 lead.
The Crossovers maintained their distance following Laure’s crucial conversions from the service line. Dindin Santiago-Manabat hammered a cross-court hit to put Chery Tiggo at match point before Roselle Baliton blocked Odina Aliyeva for the win.
Chery Tiggo took the extended first set after Mylene Paat and Jaila Atienza broke the 27 deadlock with a backrow attack and a block, respectively. The Flying Titans bounced back in the second frame before the Crossovers took the third for the 2-1 lead.
Aliyeva led the Flying Titans with 21 points laced with 11 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs while Kat Tolentino had 15 points for the 2-2 Flying Titans.
Deanna Wong only had 12 excellent sets while Denden Lazaro-Revilla collected 14 digs and 14 receptions in the loss.
Chery Tiggo will face off against United Auctioneers Inc-Army on Thursday, 5:30 PM at PhilSports Arena while Choco Mucho goes up against Cignal, Saturday, 2:30 PM at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex.
