ILOCOS NORTE — If Jaja Santiago’s performance in the final week of eliminations will serve as a gauge for the all-important battles ahead, then Chery Tiggo is in good hands.
And she has the numbers to prove it.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker has stepped on the gas to win four straight games for the Crossovers to clinch the No.2 spot and gain enough momentum ahead of the semifinals showdown against Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
Game 1 of their best-of-three begins on Sunday at 5 pm.
Santiago unleashed a nearly-unstoppable 20-point game — off 16 attacks, three kill blocks, and an ace — to stun Petro Gazz, 25-18, 25-20, 25-22, last Sunday.
The National University standout sustained her dominant play, dropping 15 points to smash Black Mamba-Army’s semis hopes, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 on Wednesday.
And even in a no-bearing match, the 25-year-old native of Tanza, Cavite still showed respect to the game and poured 10 points in just two sets, which was enough to beat a Choco Mucho side resting its players, 25-20, 25-9, 25-22, less than 24 hours before their semis.
With Santiago flipping the switch for Chery Tiggo, she rightfully earned the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week awarded by print and online sportswriters covering the maiden professional volleyball league in the country.
The 2012 Open Conference Finals MVP edged Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos for the last weekly citation in this historic tournament in Ilocos Norte.
A bumpy road awaits Chery Tiggo heading to the grueling final week of the PVL bubble, which was compressed to daily games due to the spike of Covid-19 cases.
Santiago said they just have to be mindful and keep their eyes on their road to the promised land.
“Ang iniisip lang namin ngayon is makuha namin yung kundisyon ng katawan namin, maalagaan namin kasi yun nga magiging sunod sunod yung games,” she said.
“Mentally, physically, and emotionally kailangan stable kaming lahat.”
