Chery Tiggo's Cess Robles and Pauline Gaston in action. Photo from PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Chery Tiggo will be entering the break on a pleasant note as it concludes the calendar year with a win in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers, despite falling short in Sets 2 and 3, regrouped in the last two to take down the upset-seeking Galeries Tower, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-8, on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
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The Norman Miguel-coached squad improved to 4-2 win-loss slate, while Galeries suffered its 7th fifth-set loss in 15 defeats across conferences, ending 2024 with a 1-5 record.
"Effort talaga ng lahat 'yun. Noong unang tatlong set, parang 'yun nga, hindi maayos 'yung galaw namin, parang malamya. Pero lumabas naman sa fourth set," said Chery Tiggo ace Cess Robles during the postgame interview.
There were a lot of heroes for the Chery Tiggo side, bannered by Robles, who dropped a game-high 21 points built on 20 attacks and an ace to go with 11 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs, captain Aby Marano added a quiet 15-point output, while Pauline Gaston, who was there to help the team snatch fourth set, put up a total of 14 markers.
In Set 4, the Crossovers rallied to a 9-2 run from the 16-14 count, headlined by Gaston's multiple attack points to tie at two sets apiece.
"Ang tumatak kasi sa isip ko is 'yung sinabi ni Coach Norman last game: 'Ang puntos ng isa, puntos ng lahat. Tapos ang error ng isa, error ng lahat.' So in relation to what Princess said, it was really our whole team effort," Gaston said.
Chery Tiggo rallied early in the decider, unleashing a 5-1 start and fending off all efforts of the error-burdened Highrisers, who lost poise in order to complete the upset as Robles smashed back-to-back kills in the endgame to clinch the five-set triumph.
"Kanina, before mag-start, after nung warm-up sa net, 'yun agad usapan namin na this is the last game before this holiday season. So dapat talaga full blast ang performance namin," said Miguel.
Galeries' France Ronquillo flexed her A-game, collecting a total of 18 points, while Jewel Encarnacion added 16 to the losing cause.
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Meanwhile, it was a Robles-Ronquillo duel during the finishing moments of the opener, as the two exchanged clutch points via attacks to keep their respective teams alive.
Ronquillo smashed an off-the-block hit to give Galeries its first set point at 28-27, but a sweet 3-0 finish from the Chery Tiggo side, courtesy of Robles' consecutive hits and an Ysa Jimenez attack error conceded Set 1 to the Crossovers.
A 6-0 fiery start in the succeeding chapter from Highrisers allowed them to pull away, eventually capturing the frame to tie at one set apiece.
After the Crossovers eked out a 10-5 cushion in Set 3, the Highrisers suddenly flipped the switch, uncorking a 9-0 run to overtake Miguel's cogs.
Chery Tiggo stayed in striking distance or within three to four points in the said frame, but the Highrisers finally clinched Set 3 as Ronquillo--who was by then already spectacular for Galeries--put up a personal three-point run, all on attacks, to secure a Galeries 2-1 set lead.
Both teams will see action on January 21, as Galeries battles Cignal first, while Chery Tiggo faces Petro Gazz at the same Metro Manila venue.
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