Chery Tiggo Crossovers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Chery Tiggo came back to life after being down two sets against Petro Gazz to revive its bronze medal campaign in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eya Laure fueled the Crossovers with 26 points from 24 attacks and two blocks as Chery Tiggo rallied for a 16-25, 11-25, 25-13, 25-22, 18-16 victory over the Angels to even the best-of-three series at one game apiece.
“At first, medyo unstable yung first unit namin na hindi ganon nagmamaterialize yung galawan. Talagang nagbalasa na kami ng tao [kasi] kailangan namin sumubok na bigyan ng playing time yung second unit namin,” coach KungFu Reyes said.
“Ang maganda naman talagang maganda rin yung ginalaw nila so very thankful kami. At least maganda yung pinerform na sila naman yung nasandalan nung mga main gunner namin,” he added.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz escapes Chery Tiggo for headstart in bronze race
Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes on tying the bronze series against Petro Gazz. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/BdaBNJ6smG
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 12, 2024
Laure had an all-around performance and on the defensive end, she also recorded 12 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions. Mylene Paat produced 15 points from 12 attacks and three blocks.
Shaya Adorador was one of the reinforcements who stepped up and contributed 10 points as Jasmine Nabor, who started in the last three sets in place of playmaker Alina Bicar, had nine points and surprised Petro Gazz with devastating kills in the crucial moments of the decider.
With a lot at stake and the game deadlocked in the extended fifth set, outside hitter Eya Laure and setter Jasmine Nabor had a role switch to bail Chery Tiggo out.
Even with another playmaker in starting setter Alina Bicar on the floor, Laure set up Nabor for a successful kill into the Angels net defense to give the Crossovers the lead before Petro Gazz star Brooke van Sickle retaliated with a combination play.
Eya Laure and Jasmine Nabor share their thoughts after winning Game 2. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/SljDAubYOC
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 12, 2024
Laure nailed a kill off the block of Djanel Cheng before punching in a cross-court attack that sealed the two-hour and 20-minute encounter.
Middle blocker Seth Rodriguez chipped in eight points, three coming from blocks.
“Talagang parang diesel pa rin yung team at siyempre very memorable itong panalo na ito kasi at least bago matapos yung [Finals],” Reyes said. “Kung sino man ang mananalo diyan o kung mae-extend pa ng game three naka-ready kami, at least nanalo kami … at least nakatikim ng panalo ngayong top four.”
READ: Jaja Santiago to join Chery Tiggo but won’t play in PVL bronze tiff
Both squads refused to give the other a huge margin and took turns having the lead.
Van Sickle, who had 30 points for the Angels from 24 attacks, five aces and a block, gave Petro Gazz the lead with a kill block, 12-11, before Djanel Cheng, who tossed in 21 excellent sets, sent a service to the net.
Jonah Sabete contributed 18 points from 16 attacks and two blocks sent a cross-court kill to Laure’s hands as MJ Phillips sent the ball back for a two-point lead for the Angels, 14-12.
Coming from a timeout, Ivy Perez committed a crucial service error that sailed out that gave the Crossovers some breathing room before Nabor stopped an attack by Sabete to tie the game.
Sabete redeemed herself with a cross-court kill again before the vital play by Laure and Nabor to end a four-game losing streak.
“Hindi naman na bago na pumapalo si Jasmine kasi [nagagawa] naman namin during practice yun, ang maganda naman sa kanya nag perform so yung hesitation niya before, nalagpasan niya yun,” Reyes said. “Niyakap niya yung adjustment na ginawa namin lalong lalo na ngayong game na ‘to [na] napaka importante.”
As things stand, the Angels are still ahead in points ratio with 1.126 compared to the Crossovers’ 0.888, thus if the championship clash between Creamline, who leads the series with one game already in its pocket, and Choco Mucho ends in Game 2, Petro Gazz will get the bronze medal.
The Cool Smashers and the Flying Titans are battling as of posting, but if Choco Mucho manages to extend the series to Game 3, Chery Tiggo still has a shot for third place.