PVL: Chery Tiggo nabs crucial win, ends Choco Mucho’s semifinals hunt

Mylene Paat and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Mylene Paat unleashed 25 points to stop Chery Tiggo’s woes and eliminate Choco Mucho, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, boosting its semifinal chances in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

Paat drilled 22 kills, two aces, and a block to bring back the winning ways of the Crossovers coming off a three-game skid, while Pauline Gaston haunted her former team, Choco Mucho, shattering their semis hopes after the one-hour and 49-minute match.

Gaston, who found her new home at Chery Tiggo, shone as a starter with 12 points, 19 digs, and 14 excellent receptions to help her team improve to a 4-3 record in fifth place.

 “I just want to congratulate the ladies. They poured their hearts out. They trusted one another and we stuck by it,” said Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez in Filipino. “I’m just thankful because [my players followed the] adjustments after everything that we’ve been through in the past games.”

Chery Tiggo has to win its final elimination game against Petro Gazz (5-2) and hopes for current No.4 PLDT (4-2) to lose its last two games to enter the semis.

Cza Carandang was also instrumental with 12 points, while Shaya Adorador added 10 points with EJ Laure not seeing action as Gaston stepped up.

Choco Mucho missed the semifinals for the third straight conference, despite having a new system under coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Just like the past two conferences, the Flying Titans’ semifinals bid was ended even before the game ended when the Crossovers gained a two-set lead, taking away their chances earn enough points in the standings in order to reach the next round.

Kat Tolentino was the lone bright spot for Choco Mucho with 16 points. Isa Molde had eight points, 16 digs, and nine receptions, while Des Cheng also scored eight markers and had nine receptions.