The Chery Tiggo Crossovers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Chery Tiggo tarnished PLDT's three-game unbeaten run in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers reigned over the High Speed Hitters, 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum, making it back-to-back triumphs after sweeping Nxled exactly a week ago.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo subdues Nxled for 2nd win
In an unusual show of weakness, at least in the ongoing tilt, Savi Davison and company fell victim to the rallying Crossovers as they marched to a 1-0 set lead from the 8-7 count, establishing a 17-5 breakaway led by outside spikers Cess Robles and Ara Galang.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo overcomes Capital1 in 5-set thriller for winning start
It was Robles which again paved the road for the Set 2 win, escaping a 23-22 hole dug by PLDT as she put up back-to-back points—a sharp kill and an ace—while Shaya Adorador dealt the finishing touch, firing an off-the-block hit for a 2-0 lead.
Despite giving away the third frame, the Chery Tiggo side regained form in the next, as Galang and Adorador found the points from the 20-all mark, including errors from Davison and Erika Santos, to close out the two-hour, 13-minute encounter.
Alas Pilipinas libero Jen Nierva got Player of the Game nod after showing her defensive prowess, listing 17 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions, while Robles spearheaded the Chery Tiggo offense, dropping 17 points on 14 attacks and three aces.
Nierva said she dedicated time to study PLDT beforehand which paved the win.
"I think, kasi I started my day watching PLDT. And I have six pages kung paano sila lalaruin today. And I think that's something new that I did today that really worked. And nakita ko na effective talaga kapag aaralin 'yung intention mo is to really read the opponent. And mas madali gumalaw inside the court kapag alam mo or kilala mo at alam mo 'yung galaw ng kalaban," Nierva said.
Fil-Canadian spiker Davison's 27-point eruption went down the trash as the High Speed Hitters absorbed the loss.
Both teams, now holding 3-1 records, still have one last task before closing out the year. Chery Tiggo will battle Akari on December 10, while PLDT fights Petro Gazz at the same game date at PhilSports Arena.