Chery Tiggo elevated its game in the decisive set, halting PLDT’s three-game winning streak with a 25-19, 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10 victory and creating a three-way tie at the top of Pool A of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig late Saturday.
The victory marked a significant comeback for the Crossovers, who had suffered a four-set defeat to the Creamline Cool Smashers last Tuesday. This time, they faced the High Speed Hitters with the resolve and confidence needed to topple one of the league’s most formidable teams.
Kath Bell neutralized counterpart Elena Samoilenko’s strong start in Set 5, allowing the local players to take over for Chery Tiggo. Ara Galang, Seth Rodriguez and Mylene Paat led a series of hits, while the rest of the team anchored their defense, helping the Crossovers surge to a 9-6 lead that they would not relinquish.
Bell then took charge in the endgame, scoring three powerful blasts, with her 39th point virtually sealing the victory at 13-9.
After Keisha Bedonia momentarily stalled the Crossovers with a combo play, Galang scored against two defenders to clinch the thrilling victory as Bedonia’s frustration led to a high ball that sailed out of bounds.
In an evenly-fought match marked by several lead changes and deadlocks, the Crossovers managed a strong finish in the pivotal set but failed to close out the High Speed Hitters in four, as PLDT forced a decider with their own strong finish.
Chery Tiggo’s win thus tied it with PLDT and Creamline at 3-1, setting the stage for crucial matches in the final playdate of the first round eliminations in Pool A next Thursday. The Crossovers will face the winless Galeries Tower Hightowers (0-4), while Creamline will take on Nxled (1-3), and PLDT will try to rebound against Farm Fresh (2-2).
The top three teams from each pool will advance to the second-round crossover with the bottom three teams from Pool B. The top 8 will then move on to the knockout quarterfinals, with the semifinals also being a sudden death stage.
“We made the necessary adjustments,” said Chery Tiggo coach Kungfu Reyes, whose wards demolished Farm Fresh and Nxled in straight sets but fell short against Creamline. “It’s a big win, tying us with PLDT and Creamline. But we’ll go back to training for the remaining game.”
Bell’s solid performance included five blocks, but the American downplayed her output. “Thirty-nine points is cool, but obviously the goal is to get the points right,” said Bell, noting her mishits and miscues throughout the grueling two-hour and 12-minute contest. “But we got the win and that’s a positive note.”
Galang shone with 23 markers, including 19 on attacks, providing solid backup to Bell, who also had 11 excellent receptions.
Samoilenko scored 24 points but failed to sustain her hot start in the fifth set, while the local players struggled to match their counterparts’ sustained charge.
Erika Santos added 20 points but sat out in the stretch, while Fiola Ceballos scored 16 points and Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron combined for 17 markers for PLDT. Despite shading Chery Tiggo in spikes, 74-71, the Crossovers produced more blocks (12-8) and aces (5-2).
