Cess Robles, Ara Galang and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers celebrate after a point during a PVL on Tour game. –PVL PHOTO
DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — Cess Robles and Ara Galang brought back Chery Tiggo to its winning ways, fending off Galeries Tower 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, to advance to the PVL on Tour quarterfinals on Saturday at Dasmariñas Arena here.
Robles topscored for the Crossovers anew with 13 points, including the last two hits that clinched their knockout quarterfinal duel against the Nxled Chameleons on August 9 at Philsports Arena.
Chery Tiggo coach Norman Miguel, Cess Robles, and Ara Galang after entering the #PVLonTour quarterfinals. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/aIbBEDCBQg
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 2, 2025
Galang turned back the clock with 11 points and 11 digs as the Crossovers snapped a two-game skid that included a five-set meltdown to ZUS Coffee on Tuesday in Candon, Ilocos Sur, where they could have earned the outright quarterfinal ticket.
“I felt the pressure coming into this. Earlier, while they were warming up, I pulled Ara, Aby (Maraño), and Jasmine (Nabor) aside and told them not to give up on this game, especially knowing how important it is,” said Chery Tiggo coach in Filipino.
“They were about to start the match with some rookies on the court. We really needed that leadership and character from the vets. Thankfully, it became a collective effort. Everyone genuinely wanted to win.”
The Crossovers erased a 15-17 deficit in the third with six unanswered points capped by Galang’s block before Robles put on the finishing touches to end the game in an hour and 42 minutes.
Chery Tiggo broke a 21-all tie as Shaya Adorador scored back-to-back for a 23-22 lead before Robles also drilled two consecutive kills to take a two-set advantage.
Adorador and Imee Hernandez had seven points each, as Jas Nabor dished out 18 excellent sets.
The Crossovers played inspired in front of Cavite native Jaja Santiago, who cheered her former PVL team.
“That ZUS loss? That was a humbling one. We had the opportunity, but it felt like our desire to win was only about 70 percent, while ZUS was at 100 percent. They really didn’t give us a chance,” Miguel said.
“There are a lot of lessons we need to learn from that. We’ve been given another shot, this time in the quarterfinals. Now we know the kind of preparation we need to make. It really comes down to character. The skills? They’re already there.”
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Galeries went winless in six games in the preseason tournament.
Jewel Encarnacion and Jean Asis carried the HighRisers with 13 points each, while Ysa Jimenez added eight points.
