Chery Tiggo outlasts Akari for 2-0 start


Chery Tiggo PVL on TourChery Tiggo PVL on Tour

Chery Tiggo celebrates after a thrilling win over Akari in the PVL on Tour in Montalban, Rizal.–PVL PHOTO

MONTALBAN, Rizal — Chery Tiggo turned to Cess Robles and its rookies anew to survive Akari, 24-26, 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10, and complete a two-game sweep of the PVL on Tour stop at Ynares Center Montalban stop on Sunday.

Relishing in her role as the Crossovers’ main gunner, Robles sustained her fine form, firing 23 points off 21 attacks and two blocks to lead her squad to a 2-0 start in Pool B just behind unbeaten leader Cignal (3-0).

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READ: PVL: ‘Jittery’ Soreño leads solid showing by Chery Tiggo rookies

“Coach told me that even if you’re young, you can still lead, so just show on the court that you can do it,” said Robles in Filipino after tallying 15 digs.

Ren Peñafiel, who was selected in the third round, continued to prove that she’s one of the biggest steals in the draft, delivering 12 points and eight excellent receptions after scoring 11 in her debut against Capital1 on Saturday. Jyne Soreño also shone, scoring the game’s final two points.

“Yesterday’s game became our motivation to do things right with how we play,” said Robles, who was coming off a 17-point effort in the win over the Solar Spikers.

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“That wasn’t really us. Today, this is who we are: the team that fights. Coach also reminded us that we need to stay focused, and however we discipline ourselves and our bodies, we need to keep doing it.”

Imee Hernandez also made timely hits that gave Chery Tiggo a 12-8 spread in the fifth, pouncing on Akari’s costly attack miscues. The Chargers shot themselves in the foot with 41 errors.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo gets preseason bid going, fends off Capital1

Hernandez, who just returned after a grueling road to recovery from a knee injury, finished with eight points.

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Setter Jas Nabor had 28 excellent sets on top of six points, while libero Angela Nunag had 24 digs and 12 receptions.

Ara Galang, who sat out against Capital1, saw limited action and contributed five points.

“Of course, I’m really, really happy. I mean, two games and two wins. Yesterday’s win was already a confidence booster, and this one even more so. This win means a lot to us,” said Chery Tiggo coach Norman Miguel in Filipino.

“We can’t stop here. I want to solidify the team’s character, to have that hunger to win, to have something to prove, and to chase goals I know they can achieve. They all came from champion teams, so they know what needs to be done and how it feels to get it done.”

READ: PVL: Jyne Soreño looks to spark La Salle connection at Chery Tiggo

The Crossovers brace for a challenging trip to Passi Arena in Iloilo against Cignal and Creamline on July 19 and 20, respectively.

Chery Tiggo overcame a 2-11 start and 15-23 deficit in the first set as three consecutive errors by Akari tied the frame at 24-all. The Chargers’ midrally video challenge of floor touch off Ced Domingo’s attack paid off to regain the set point advantage before Grethcel Soltones’ off-the-block kill clinched the 1-0 advantage. 

But the Crossovers got their act together and dominated the next two for a 2-1 match lead.

Akari forced a decider despite squandering a 23-18 spread in the fourth as Peñafiel made it a one-point game twice, 24-23, before Soltones’ set winner.



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Lacsina led the way with 18 points and 18 excellent receptions. Eli Soyud had 17 points and 11 digs. Ced Domingo chimed in with 12 points, while Soltones added seven points and 19 receptions, only to slide to a 1-3 record less than 24 hours after surviving ZUS Coffee, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 17-25, 17-15.

The Chargers battle the Capital1 Solar Spikers to wrap up their Pool B campaign on July 15 at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.



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