Chery Tiggo’s Khat Bell during the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Khat Bell kept Chery Tiggo on top of the PVL Reinforced Conference Pool A ladder with its second win following a 25-16, 25-20, 25-23 rout of Nxled on Saturday at PhilSports Arena.
Bell produced 21 points on 19 kills and two aces apart from also 10 excellent digs with Ara Galang having her back with 11 points built on seven attacks and four of the seven total blocks of the Crossovers.
“It’s better to be getting the lead first so at least we can bring the momentum. That’s one of the good things that is happening right now,” coach Kung Fu Reyes said in Filipino.
READ: PVL: Ara Galang channeling inner ‘Hanamichi Sakuragi
Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes, Ara Galang, and Khat Bell after a 2-0 start in Pool A. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/EVyZASW0EA
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 20, 2024
Chery Tiggo is coming off an opening game sweep of Farm Fresh, 25-13, 27-25, 25-22, on Tuesday.
Even without Eya Laure because of Alas Pilipinas’ training camp in Japan, there was no shortage of hitters on the Crossovers’ side especially in the deciding set.
“It all starts with the mindset. I need to hold up the responsibility and role that was given to me,” Galang said. “It starts in the training. What I have been working for is also what I can show. I am just focusing on what I can contribute to the team.”
Chery Tiggo Crossovers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Chameleons shortly got the lead before Galang and Bell took control of the match for good to tie the game at 20-all with Nxled’s errors down the stretch further helping Chery Tiggo.
With Shaya Adorador, who added six points, putting the game at 23-all, Trisha Genesis committed a costly attack error before Bell hammered in a kill off the block.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo rookie Karen Verdeflor impresses in debut
Bell made sure to give credit to her teammates.
“The girls played amazing every time someone comes in and switches with somebody else someone did what they were supposed to do. Obviously, player of the game (Galang) was amazing tonight. I am really happy to have her back tonight so it’s great. I loved tonight’s performance by everybody,” Bell said.
No Chameleon reached twin digits with backup reinforcement Meegan Hart, scoring only nine points, failing to follow up her 19-point effort in Nxled’s win over Galeries Tower on Tuesday.
Lycha Ebon contributed eight points while Jho Maraguinot had seven.
“[Bell] is an amazing opponent and of course now that we’re teammates, it’s much better,” Galang said. “I am super happy to be with her inside the court helping each other.”
“[Reyes] also does a pretty good job making sure [that we are not complacent]. He’s really hard on us during practice. I am really adamant about enjoying the win for the last 24 hours and after it’s the next game. Everyone’s already humble. They already know what the mindset is, what the goal is, so they don’t have to be too dependent on me in terms of directing. But it’s just about going to the court and getting onto the next game,” Bell said as Chery Tiggo tries to stay consistent against the Highrisers next.