Chery Tiggo powered past a third-set hiccup to deal PLDT its first loss, 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Crossovers leaned on the 1-2 punch of Cess Robles and Jennifer Nierva to complete the victory over the High Speed Hitters, tying the two teams with identical 3-1 records.
Robles, a key player in Chery Tiggo’s dominant 2-0 start, tallied a team-high 17 points on 14 attacks and three kill blocks. Nierva was a steady force on the floor with 17 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
(C) PVL Images
“Masaya po kami kasi lahat ng pinagtrabahuhan namin nung last few days, nagawa namin lahat ng plan namin, lahat ng sinabi ng coaches, and kung ano ‘yung pag-adjust namin sa kalaban,” said Robles, who inherited a big role following the departure of Eya and EJ Laure.
“I think, kasi I started my day watching PLDT. And I have six pages kung paano sila lalaruin today. And I think that’s something new that I did today that really worked. And nakita ko na effective talaga kapag aaralin yung intention mo is to really read the opponent,” added Nierva.
Locked at 20-all in the fourth, Ara Galang nailed a down-the-line hit. Shaya Adorador then converted a cross-court hit that sparked a 3-0 run, giving the Crossovers a comfortable 23-20 advantage.
PLDT star Savannah Davison went cross-court to stop the bleeding before exchanging service errors with Galang, bringing the score to 24-22 in favor of Chery Tiggo.
Adorador then fired the game-clinching hit through the block, finishing the game after two hours of action.
The Crossovers put up a strong start, dominating the first set with a blistering 18-5 finishing rally. Robles played the hero in the second frame, anchoring a come-from-behind win that put them ahead, 2-0.
(C) PVL Images
Not wanting to go down without a fight, the High Speed Hitters exacted vengeance in set three before the Crossovers sealed the win in the fourth frame for their second consecutive victory of the tournament.
Galang added 13 points, while Adorador and Pauline Gaston tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Chery Tiggo.
Alina Bicar tossed 15 excellent sets to go along with six excellent digs and two points.
The Crossovers face Akari on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the Philsports Arena.
On the other hand, PLDT was led by Davison’s 27-point output. She also had 12 excellent receptions in the loss.
Erika Santos chipped in 13 markers, while Dell Palomata and Majoy Baron contributed nine and seven points, respectively.
The High Speed Hitters will look to bounce back when they take on Petro Gazz earlier that day at 4:00 PM.
