Eya Laure and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Eya Laure celebrated her 25th birthday with Chery Tiggo toppling another tough opponent in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers held on to complete a 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-13 victory over Petro Gazz on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Maganda yung naging last two sets namin kasi nga yung character na gusto naming mangyari, nandun na,” Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes said. “Andun na rin yung communication, yung grit. Hanggang dulo, hangga’t di tapos yung laro, walang titigil.”
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
Eya exhibited just that with her 15 points, mostly from attacks, Ara Galang contributed 12 points after playing only in the first three sets while EJ Laure and Mylene Paat added 10 points apiece as the Crossovers improved to a 4-2 record.
But despite leading her squad to its second consecutive win, the birthday celebrant was not happy with her performance.
Eya’s birthday wish: Slay her adulting goals #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/ATX7E30YDM
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2024
“To be honest, hindi ako nasayahan kasi first three sets, parang wala akong pino-produce masyado na number, parang wala akong ambag,” Eya said.
Chery Tiggo banked on its net and floor defense to survive the two-hour and 31-minute encounter while also committing fewer errors than the Angels, who had 25.
READ: Chery Tiggo ends dominant Creamline streak with stunning upset
Galang and Paat manned the net with three blocks each in Chery Tiggo’s 13 total. The Crossovers also came up with 70 excellent digs, 29 coming from libero Jen Nierva, who also provided 14 excellent receptions, and Eya’s 12 digs.
The lethal combination of Brooke van Sickle and Jonah Sabete was not enough to fuel Petro Gazz as its three-game winning streak was snapped.
With everything on the line, Eya nailed a cross-court kill that hit the net before landing on the floor to tie the game at 11-all. Paat and Sabete traded blows in the endgame before the Angel committed an attack error that sailed out.
Chery Tiggo’s Ara Galang. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Filipino-Canadian hitter delivered a career-high 27 points, 24 coming from attacks, two blocks an ace in front of her parents who watched her playing in the PVL for the first time.
And Eya had nothing but praise for her Angel counterpart.
“Sobrang taas kasi nung leap niya eh, parang sobrang taas ng contact niya. Kahit i-target mo siya, marunong talaga siya mag-receive sa block,” she said. “Talagang threat siya for us, pero sinasabi nga ni ate Alina [Bicar], ilaban mo, kaya nabubuo rin yung loob ko kahit na grabe siya mag-produce ng points.”
“Doon ko na lang masasabi na mas maganda pag maraming nagko-contribute at lahat nagiging threat sa distribution ni ate Alina,” she added.
Van Sickle laced that offense with 20 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions with Sabete chipping in 22 points all from kills.
“Sobrang saya kasi hindi lang isa yung naglaro, lahat kami nagtatrabaho, at gustung-gusto naming manalo. Nag-enjoy lang kami at nagtulungan sa loob ng court,” said Bicar who distributed the ball with 19 excellent sets while adding two points.