Chery Tiggo’s Eya Laure.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Eya Laure led Chery Tiggo’s complete dismantling of PLDT, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20, on Tuesday night, to further complicate the semifinal race in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The power-smashing Laure sparkled for the second consecutive game in a collective effort that stretched the winning streak of the Crossovers to five, their seventh overall in nine outings.
“Our mindset is to win every point. We don’t have to rush it and work as a team. Good things happen if we do it together,” said Laure after firing nine attack points and three blocks capped by an authoritative off-the-block spike that pushed them just a point prior to matchpoint.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
Riding fluidly on their run of luck, the Crossovers are bunched in second place with Creamline, Petro Gazz and PLDT with identical records.
By stopping the streaking High Speed Hitters on their tracks, they now sit half a game behind leader Choco Mucho (8-1), laying down the groundwork for a dramatic ending in the elimination phase.
“We were able to execute the things that we’ve been working on during practice. It’s a collective effort and everybody is doing their job,” said Chery Tiggo coach Kungfu Reyes.
READ: Eya Laure anchoring Chery Tiggo team effort amid streak
Quickly seizing control in the first set, the Crossovers cashed in on PLDT’s miscues while efficiently piercing the enemy’s defensive line with proficient attacks.
The momentum spilled over early in the third set with the Crossovers capitalizing on an Aby Marano block, 8-3, that set the tone for another breakaway.
EJ Laure likewise contributed in keeping the High Speed Hitters under control along with Mylene Paat, Ara Galang as well as Cza Carandang, whose off-the-block strike followed by an ace pushed them back to a four-point advantage.
Another Marano block coincided with power hits by Paat and Eya Laure bumped them up, 23-15, before PLDT made a last-ditch attempt in reversing the outcome.
Savi Davidson pounded away with an assortment of hits, the last four of her game-high 22 attacks and Kim Fajardo’s ace putting them with four, but the Crossovers were just too engrossed to be denied.
Majoy Baron could only come up with six points while Erika Santos and Dell Palomata chipped in four points each in an error-prone performance by the High Speed Hitters.
They had 28 wasted possessions against Chery Tiggo’s 19, which was more than one set that PLDT gave up.