Chery Tiggo displayed grace under pressure to outplay an energetic but young Farm Fresh side, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22, for a good start in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite showing rust and having seasoned winger Mylene Paat sidelined, the Crossovers relied on their nerves of steel and veteran composure in overhauling huge deficits in each of the sets including an eight-point hole in the third frame to grab an opening day victory.
Ces Robles waxed hot in scoring nine of her 10 points in the third set that sparked Chery Tiggo’s amazing comeback from a 10-18 deficit.
“We just kept our faith in each other and trusted our coaches’ game plan. It was a total team effort for us,” Robles, who is in her second conference with the Crossovers, said.
“We did commit mistakes and we lacked communication but in the end we’re able to make the necessary adjustments,” she added. “This game is important for us because this is where we’ll be able to gauge where we are as a team. We still have a lot to improve on.”
EJ Laure finished with 14 points including 12 hits, EJ Laure smashed 12 of her 13 points on kills including the game-winning spike and added nine excellent receptions for Chery Tiggo.
Imee Hernandez had eight points while Jasmine Nabor, in her return to the Crossovers, who could miss Paat indefinitely due to a foot injury, had 15 excellent sets to go with three points.
Chery Tiggo unleashed an 8-0 run to overhaul an eight-point deficit to tie the third set at 18. The Foxies again went up, 22-20, only to see the EJ Laure connect back-to-back hits followed by Hernandez’s two consecutive points. EJ Laure sealed the match for the Crossovers with an off the block kill.
“We had a slow start in the third set but because of their determination and our jelling we’re able to get through in the third set. Thankful to our players who pushed hard to get this win,” Chery Tiggo mentor Aaron Velez said as his wards kept Farm Fresh winless since joining the league in the mid-season Invitational Conference.
The Foxies looked poised to get the opening set after building a 20-15 lead. But the 2021 Open Conference champion Chery Tiggo answered with a closing 10-1 blitz to steal the frame and frustrate Farm Fresh.
The Crossovers handed the Foxies their sixth defeat since their debut tournament in the league and spoiled prized setter Louie Romero’s first game for the Jerry Yee-mentored squad.
Trisha Tubu scored all but one of her 15 points on attacks while Jade Gentapa had eight kills and two kill blocks for 10 points in a losing effort for Farm Fresh.
Kate Santiago added nine points, 14 excellent receptions and 10 digs for the Foxies while Romero dished out 16 excellent sets.
