Chery Tiggo displayed remarkable resilience and dominance in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries, claiming a convincing 26-24, 25-15, 25-18 victory over Nxled at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday night.
The win not only propelled the Crossovers back to mid-pack contention but also highlighted their ability to rebound from adversity and dictate the game once in control.
Power-hitter Cess Robles spearheaded the Crossovers’ first-set rally, finishing with an impressive 15 points and earning Best Player of the Game honors. She attributed her standout performance to consistent hard work.
“Sobrang happy kasi yung mga ginawa ko these past few days ay nagawa ko sa laro,” said Robles, who also took on the role of a motivator for her veteran teammates.
“I reminded them na kailangan manalo kami ng straight sets para sa crucial points, at mai-ayos ang galaw namin, lalo na sa depensa,” she added.
Despite Nxled’s strong opening, the Crossovers leaned on their experience and unwavering determination, spearheaded by Robles, who led a spirited fightback in the opening set, helping overturn a six-point deficit to steal the extended frame.
In the second set, Chery Tiggo showcased its full potential, taking early control and maintaining a steady lead. The Crossovers’ composure and consistency frustrated Nxled’s Italian coach Guidetti Ettore, whose motivational efforts fell flat against a relentless Chery Tiggo squad.
The third set was a near replay of the second, with the Crossovers racing to a 14-6 advantage and cruising to a dominant finish. Their impressive performance secured a one-hour, 32-minute victory, giving them a 2-1 win-loss card.
The result also served as a morale booster ahead of their clash against the undefeated PLDT High Speed Hitters on Dec. 3 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Veteran Aby Maraño also delivered a stellar performance, scoring 11 points, including decisive quick attacks that sealed victories in the first two sets. Her leadership and skill anchored the Crossovers’ triumph, inspiring confidence as they prepare for tougher battles ahead.
Ara Galang posted an eight-point performance, while Mary Rhose Dapol chipped in six markers. Alina Bicar and Pauline Gaston each added four points, matching middle blocker Cza Carandang's output as she celebrated her 27th birthday with a victory.
The defeat left the Chameleons winless at 0-3, tying them with the Capital1 Solar Spikers at the bottom of the standings.
Chiara Permentilla led the charge for Nxled with 12 points, followed by May Luna with eight markers, while Lycha Ebon and Jaila Atienza contributed seven points apiece.
Meanwhile, the Chameleons welcomed former Chery Tiggo standout Ej Laure to their roster, but she was unavailable to play, appearing in street clothes during the match.
Unfortunately for Nxled, Laure’s presence did little to galvanize her new team, which faltered after their first-set collapse and struggled to find a leader on the court.
