Chery Tiggo Crossovers led by sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago Manabat. PVL MEDIA BUREAU
MANILA, Philippines—Chery Tiggo forced a rubber match for the title after turning back Creamline, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-21, in Game 2 of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Finals Thursday.
Jaja Santiago took charge with 25 points while older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat added 18 points for the Crossovers who lost Game 1 in five sets.
The deciding Game 3 is on Friday.
“Thank you Lord. We were guided, God is with us,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Aaron Velez after the game at PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Ilocos Norte. “The players were able to play as a team, they gave encouraging words and we were able to boos each other’s morale.”
With the two teams practically identical in terms of spikes with the Cool Smashers getting a slight edge 52-51, the Crossovers relied on pinpoint serving and near-impenetrable blocking to get the points.
The Santiago sisters combined for five of Chery Tiggo’s 12 kill blocks, matching Creamline’s total.
Chery Tiggo also scored on nine service aces compared to just one that the Cool Smashers got, their solitary point off a serve courtesy of Alyssa Valdez.
Shaya Adorador and Mary Joy Dacoron added nine and eight points, respectively, for the Crossovers.
Valdez had 18 points to lead Creamline while Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos added 17 and 15 points, respectively.