MONTALBAN, RIZAL — Undermanned Chery Tiggo fended off a gritty challenge by Capital1, winning 20-25, 25-23, 25-12, 28-26 for a triumphant start in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League On Tour, Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
The Solar Spikers threatened to force a fifth set after taking two set points in the fourth, but their errors doomed them in the end.
After Renren Peñafiel tied the match at 25 on a check ball off former collegiate teammate Pia Abbu, Trisha Genesis threw her attempt out to give the Crossovers a 26-25 match point.
Although Sydney Niegos was able to knot the game anew, she committed a costly attack error in the next play. Then Shola Alvarez also failed to hit the mark, with her crosscourt shot going wide for the Chery Tiggo win after two hours and 14 minutes.
(C) PVL Images
“Masaya kasi panalo at nakaka-tense yung game. Yung composition ng team namin, iba yung rookies namin, nag-perform nang maganda with the support of the seniors,” said Crossovers head coach Norman Miguel.
Rookies Jyne Soreño and Renren Peñafiel shone in their professional debut with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Cess Robles steadied the ship during shaky moments despite coming off the bench, leading the scoring with 17 points along with nine digs.
Middle blocker Imee Hernandez also returned on the Taraflex after 20 months due to a knee injury, contributing eight points in just three sets of action.
“Personally, happy ako na yung training namin, kahit papaano, medyo lumalabas sa game namin. Siyempre, meron pa ring gustong i-meet na level yung game nila,” said Miguel.
The Crossovers — despite missing veterans Ara Galang, Cza Carandang, Mylene Paat, and Risa Sato as well as Joyme Cagande — started at 1-0 in Pool B.
On the other hand, the Solar Spikers remain winless after three outings.
(C) PVL Images
Capital1 played without Jorelle Singh, Julia Ipac, Nikka Yandoc, and Jerrili Malabanan, while 2025 top overall pick Bella Belen watched her team live for the first time.
Alvarez paced the Solar Spikers with 13 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Genesis added 12 points.
Niegos delivered 10 points in limited action off the bench, while Rovie Instrella also had nine points in their third consecutive defeat.
Both teams will be back in action here tomorrow with Chery Tiggo facing Akari at 4:00 PM and Capital1 taking on ZUS Coffee at 6:30 PM.
