In a stunning turn of events, Jasmine Nabor, typically known for her setting prowess, transformed into a formidable attacker, delivering crucial through-the-block hits in succession then Eya Laure took over with powerful blasts, propelling the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to a nail-biting 16-25, 11-25, 25-13, 25-22, 18-16 victory over a stunned Petro Gazz side left reeling in disbelief.
What seemed to be a one-sided affair evolved into a gripping battle of wits and nerves at endgame with the Crossovers pulling through and the Angels lamenting a missed opportunity for a bronze medal finish in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference before an overflowing Sunday crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Chery Tiggo’s stirring come-from-behind victory overshadowed Petro Gazz’s Game One triumph, which also unfolded in five sets, 22-25, 25-12, 25-18, 27-29, 15-12. This time, however, the Crossovers defied the odds through sheer determination and big fighting heart.
Laure later expressed the team’s collective mindset of striving to achieve a podium finish while highlighting the team unity and resilience.
“Ang mindset ay ilabas kung ano ung pinagtrabhuhan namin at magbigay ng podium finish sa Chery Tiggo,” said Laure after a workmanlike 26-point performance that earned her the game’s top honors.
“We got each other’s back, me mawawala sa court pero me mag-i-step-up,” she added, referring to the excellent rotation of players orchestrated by coach Kungfu Reyes.
While the victory sparked jubilation for Chery Tiggo, it dealt a big blow to Petro Gazz’s confidence. Despite holding match point at 14-12 following an Ivy Perez ace, the Angels faltered under pressure.
Perez’s subsequent service error, followed by Nabor’s block, prolonged the match, setting the stage for a tense exchange of rallies for the crucial points.
Jonah Sabete, undeterred by earlier spiking setbacks, unleashed a crafty off-speed shot against Laure to edge the Angels ahead once more, only to be met with Nabor’s relentless assaults, which lifted the Crossovers to a 16-15 lead.
After Brooke Van Sickle leveled the score for the 12th time, Laure seized control with thunderous spikes, clinching victory for the Crossovers in a thrilling two-hour, 20-minute showdown.
With the best-of-three series now tied at one game apiece, Petro Gazz’s hopes for a bronze medal hinge on the outcome of the Finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho, currently under way at presstime.
Mylene Paat backed Laure with 15 and 10 points, respectively, while Nabor shone with nine points on top of her 11 excellent sets. Reyes also activated Shaya Adorador and Seth Rodriguez, who rose to the occasion and delivered 10 and eight points, respectively. Rodriguez also upstaged Petro Gazz’s middles by coming through with six blocks.
Van Sickle came away with 30 points while Sabete had 18 markers and MJ Philips and Aiza Pontillas scored 10 points apiece and Remy Palma added seven markers for the Angels.
