PVL: Chery Tiggo rises to 4-1, tops Galeries as first round ends

Chery Tiggo’s Khat Bell against Galeries Tower in the PVL Reinforced Conference.– PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Chery Tiggo had the answers to counter Galeries Tower attacks and claim a 25-17, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory to end the first round of the PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.

Even with a sore back and being sidelined near the end of the third frame, Kath Bell still bulldozed the Highrisers with 25 points on 21 attacks, three blocks and an ace and paved the way for the Crossovers to tie Creamline and PLDT with similar 4-1 slates.

“Win is a win, malaking bagay. Though talagang mahirap kalaban si Galeries kasi nga ‘yung floor defense nila. Naging vital ‘yung atake nila kanina, masyadong fatal,” coach KungFu Reyes said.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo’s Khat Bell not satisfied after 39-point outburst

Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes, Ara Galang, and Shaya Adorador after ending the first round with a win. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dLeXGa4wSE

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 8, 2024

“So sa amin naman, medyo off-timing ‘yung galaw namin sa ilalim though andun ‘yung tao namin, kaya lang ‘di namin natatapos nang maganda,” Reyes added.

Bell also had eight excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions while Ara Galang shone as well with 16 points built on 11 kills and five blocks as Chery Tiggo moved on to Pool C in the second round with the No. 1 and 2 squads the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters.

“‘Yung teamwork namin (mahalaga) kasi although may import, kailangan kasi matulungan din namin siya. Hindi pwedeng aasa lang kami sa kanya. Kailangan kaming locals, pagtrabahuan namin para mas madali sa kanya at mas madali sa buong team,” said Galang, who is one of the Crossovers who was successful piercing through Galeries Tower’s defense.

“‘Yung coaches kasi may inputs sila. Nakikita nila ‘yung ibang hindi namin nakikita. Kailangan din marunong kang makinig at marunong kang i-timing ‘yun sa mga instructions sayo,” she said.

Pauline Gaston added nine points and Buding Duremdes 11 excellent digs as Chery Tiggo meets bottom-tier Pool B teams Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho and ZUS Coffee.

READ: PVL: Khat Bell gets Chery Tiggo back on track with win over PLDT

“Siguro as a spiker kasi, kailangan kung nakikita mong aggressive sila sa depensa, eh di mas maging mas aggressive ka para makakuha ng point. Malaro ako eh so dapat i-clear ko lang ‘yung mind ko para madiskartehan ko nang tama,” Galang said.

Apart from its floor defense, Galeries Tower drew 13 points from France Ronquillo while Andrea Marzan and Graze Bombita each had 12 points apiece. Marzan came up with 10 attacks as well as Bombita and a pair of blocks.

Chuewulim Sutadta contributed only nine points but caught 16 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions. Renee Mabilangan tossed in 16 excellent sets.

With a 0-5 record, the Highrisers move on to Pool D in the second round with Farm Fresh and Nxled and meet Pool B heavyweights Akari, Cignal and Capital1.