Crossovers pound Angels to earn playoff for Final Four slot

Jaja Santiago scores easily —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ILOCOS NORTE—Exuding confidence coming off a big victory, Chery Tiggo imposed its will right from the first serve on Sunday to post a dominant 25-18, 25-20, 25-22 victory over Petro Gazz as the Crossovers earned at least a playoff for a semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference.

The Crossovers overcame the Angels in a third set that was fought tooth-and-nail, rallying from a 15-17 deficit and never looking back by winning four of the last six points for 5-2.

The victory came just two days after Jaja Santiago and co. stopped Creamline in four and it steered the team to third place, heading to the last seven playdates of the single round eliminations at PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra.

It also snapped Petro Gazz’s three-game run as the Angels slipped to fourth at 4-2, enabling at least three teams to stay in the hunt for the last Final Four seat.

“We have some challenges along the way but we were still able to work on them,” said Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez, whose wards will take on Black Mamba Army on Wednesday before closing out against Choco Mucho on Sunday. “But first of all, we give glory to God and I’m just glad for the ladies that they were able to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho seeks to nail the first Final Four berth as it faces a beleaguered Black Mamba Army side at 1 p.m. on Monday, even as Creamline tries to recover lost ground when it takes on lowly Cignal HD at 6 p.m.

The Flying Titans shoot for a sixth straight win and the first spot in the playoffs.