Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ Mylene Paat in a PVL All-Filipino Conference game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Chery Tiggo continued to show its top form after cruising to its second straight victory in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
The Crossovers swept Strong Group, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19, behind Mylene Paat’s 10 points on 9 attacks and an ace despite playing off the bench on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And it is a good sign for coach Kung Fu Reyes and the rejigged Chery Tiggo, which ended up with the bronze in the recent PNVF Champions League.
“Getting better every game, which is what we’re after,” Reyes said in Filipino. “We executed good plays so I am happy.”
SCHEDULE: 2023 PVL All-Filipino semifinals
“Everyone has to have confidence in our system so once they are called to play, they will be ready,” Paat said as almost everyone from Chery Tiggo got a point.
Chery Tiggo showed how much better it is, especially with its beefed-up offense even as the Athletics tried to climb back up from a 22-14 deficit late in the third set.
EJ Laure helped Paat with nine points as the Crossovers wielded their offensive might over the league newcomers with a 52-28 attack advantage.
“We don’t have a problem with the coaches’ decision-making so we’re just happy and follow their instructions,” Paat added.
READ: PVL: Another chance for Chery Tiggo to solve ‘good’ predicament
The Crossovers also swept their opening assignment in another league neophyte Capital1, 25-15, 25-15, 25-6 on Tuesday and that is the momentum that they hope to continue to ride on as the competition heats up.
Aby Maraño and Mylene Paat of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –MARLO CUETO/INQURIER.net
Team captain Aby Marano and Ara Galang, the latest additions for Chery Tiggo, had a quiet outing with six and two points, respectively. Galang also had seven digs.
Chery Tiggo had the luxury of experimenting with its roster as it utilized every player.
“Our bench is deep but the timing of the switching and composition of personnel is what we are taking care of and at the same time we don’t want to overuse our players,” Reyes added.
“The conference is long so we have a lot of combinations with our set of players so tinitimpla naman namin lahat,” he added. “We have the right blend of people.”
Strong Group dropped its second straight match in its maiden conference after also being swept by Petro Gazz in its debut, 25-12, 25-20, 25-12.
The Athletics, who meet the Solar Spikers on March 5, would need to become much better after their players only totaled 31 points as Justine Rebleza, Sheeka Espinosa and Dolly Versoza finished with eight points apiece.
Chery Tiggo, meanwhile, will have some time to recover and gear up for its clash against another revamped crew in Choco Mucho on March 2.