Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ Pauline Gaston, Alina Bicar and Eya Laure in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Laure sisters Eya and EJ powered Chery Tiggo to a crucial 26-24, 25-20, 26-24 triumph over Cignal in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Thursday night at PhilSports Arena.
Eya led the Crossovers with 16 points from 11 attacks, two blocks and three aces while her older sister EJ delivered 13 attacks also from 11 attacks, a block and an ace to help their crew form a three-way tie at 6-2 with Creamline and Petro Gazz.
“Yung game itself parang cardiac game kasi nga dulo-dulo lang nagkakatalo. Puro breaks of the game so syempre yung respeto namin dun sa Cignal team, alam namin kung gaano kalakas yung team, kung gaano ka-competitive,” coach KungFu Reyes said.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
Ara Galang backstopped EJ, who also had 13 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, and Eya, who laced her offense with 13 excellent receptions, with 11 points.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ EJ Laure and Cza Carandang. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Masaya ako na nakapag-contribute ako sa team para manalo and syempre yun naman yung goal ko lagi,” Galang said. “Nagbubunga yung pina-practice namin every day, lumalabas yung pinagta-trabahuhan namin, pinag-hihirapan namin.”
“Masaya ako dahil umaayos sa amin yung galaw kasi nga breaks of the game eh, dikitan—‘Di mo masasabi eh, so masaya lang ako na sa amin napunta yung panalo,” she added.
After losing its third match in eight games, Cignal’s semifinal chance is slowly slipping out of its hands even with Ces Molina’s 16 points to lead the HD Spikers’ offense and Dawn Catindig’s defensive showing of 28 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
READ: PVL: Alina Bicar is the catalyst of Chery Tiggo offense
Tied with Choco Mucho with the same 7-1 win loss record is PLDT. Petro Gazz and Creamline follow suit also with 6-2 records.
Despite coming up with performances to force two extended sets over the Crossovers, Cignal just didn’t have enough left in the tank to present a problem for Chery Tiggo.
Even with the slight disadvantage against Cignal in the final frame, Chery Tiggo was relentless in regaining the lead, 20-18.
Molina found an open spot in the Crossovers’ defense to tie the game at 20-all before another deadlock at 22 apiece as Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos looked for a lucky ticket from the bench to provide reinforcement.
Rose Doria committed a crucial net violation before the Laure sisters nailed back to back attacks to secure the win.