Chery Tiggo bolstered its semis bid, snapping a three-game losing streak after eliminating Choco Mucho, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Mylene Paat exploded for 25 points on 22 attacks, two aces, and a block in just three sets while Pauline Gaston unloaded a triple-double of 12 points, 19 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions to lift the Crossovers to a 4-3 slate.
Gaston stepped up against her former team and filled the spot by starting outside hitter EJ Laure, who did not suit up against the Flying Titans.
Cza Carandang had 12 points as well while Shaya Adorador chipped in 10 points for the Crossovers after an hour and 43 minutes of game time.
“Again, I just want to keep on thanking the Lord for guiding us. Secondly, I just want to congratulate the ladies, they poured their heart out, they trusted one another, and then we [stuck by the game plan],” said Crossovers head coach Aaron Velez.
“Yun lang, ako’y nagpapasalamat lang kasi kahit may mga adjustments kami, kahit may mga pinagdaanan kami. I just wanna really commend the players, the ladies,” added Velez.
After bagging the first two sets, Chery Tiggo broke an early 9-all deadlock in the third frame through a 5-1 rally led by Paat and Carandang which put them ahead by four points, 14-10.
Choco Mucho failed to mount a rally in time to extend the game as the Crossovers ran away with a 25-19 victory en route to a sweep.
Kat Tolentino spearheaded the Flying Titans with a team-high 16 points while Isa Molde chipped in eight markers, 16 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions in the loss that dropped them to 2-5.
Choco Mucho was booted out of the semifinals race as early as the second set as they needed to win the game in three or four sets to survive. The Flying Titans’ max possible points are nine which is not enough to get them to the top four.
Chery Tiggo will face the semis-bound Petro Gazz on Tuesday, 4:00 PM at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City while Choco Mucho will try to end its campaign on a winning note against PLDT on Thursday, 4:00 PM at the Philsports Arena.
