PVL: Chery Tiggo topples PLDT behind Jen Nierva, Cess Robles

Jen Nierva, left, and the rest of Chery Tiggo celebrate during a win over PLDT in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Chery Tiggo dealt PLDT its first loss in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jen Nierva led the defense of the Crossovers, who drove to back-to-back wins, with 17 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions while on the offense Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador and Pauline Gaston contributed on offense with twin digits each.

Robles hammered in 17 points from 14 attacks and three aces, Galang punched in 13 points, a pair off blocks, Adorador contributed 11 attack points and Gaston had 10 points thanks to Alina Bicar’s 15 excellent sets.

READ: PVL: Jen Nierva aces assignment, leads Chery Tiggo past PLDT

Chery Tiggo stars Jen Nierva and Cess Robles talk about their big win over PLDT. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/15AnqC5Mnc

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“Masaya po kami kasi lahat ng pinagtrabahuhan namin nung last few days, nagawa namin lahat ng plan namin, lahat ng sinabi ng coaches, and kung ano ‘yung pag-adjust namin sa kalaban,” Robles said.

“I actually went through their rotations. Yung tendencies ni [Savi] Davison … though ang dami kong na-miss pa din kasi she’s very aggressive,” Nierva said as the Filipino-Canadian hitter still manufactured 27 points.

“Hindi mo talaga din mababasa … And dahil alam ko na siya, ang dali kong i-lead yung mga teammates ko … Alam ko na kung saan yung percentage na pupunta yung serves nila. So nire-ready ko na agad kung sino yung katabi ko, kung kanina pupunta yung serve. So I think, mas napagaan, mas napadali yung trabaho ng bawat isa,” she added.

The Crossovers had control all game long that no matter what the High Speed Hitters threw, they had the right counterpunch ready save for the third-set hiccup.

READ: PVL: Cess Robles feels ‘no pressure’ stepping up for Chery Tiggo

Erika Santos had 13 points in the losing stand as PLDT dropped to a similar 3-1 slate as Chery Tiggo.

PLDT’s net was guarded by Dell Palomata, who had five of the 12 total blocks of the High Speed Hitters.

Kath Arado shone for PLDT with 16 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions, Fiola Ceballos had 12 excellent digs while Davison caught 12 excellent receptions.

Chery Tiggo can make it three straight wins against Akari next Tuesday at PhilSports Arena after PLDT’s another difficult task of handling Petro Gazz.