MANILA – Chery Tiggo Crossovers leaned on its composure and playoff-tested experience to sweep Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, and advance to the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour knockout round on Saturday at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.
Determined to bounce back from a five-set meltdown against ZUS Coffee that cost them an outright quarterfinal berth, the Crossovers delivered in a must-win showdown, showcasing grit and control in crucial moments to fend off the young and aggressive Highrisers.
Veteran outside hitter Victonara Galang led the way with an all-around effort of 11 points and 11 excellent digs, earning Best Player of the Game honors for the Crossovers.
“Hindi pa naman tapos ang laban. Kahit na natalo kami last time, may pagkakataon pa rin kami at kailangan naming magpatuloy,” said Galang. “Sinuwerte lang kami. Pareho kaming nagpukpukan, pero mas nagtrabaho kami.”
Ilongga Princess Robles topscored for Chery Tiggo with 13 points while also anchoring the floor defense with nine digs and five receptions. Imee Hernandez added seven markers and Ilongga middle blocker Aby Maraño chipped in five points.
Despite being swept, Galeries Tower showed promise, particularly in the second and third sets where they briefly held the lead.
Rookie Jean Asis and Jewel Encarnacion scored 13 points apiece, while Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo added eight each for the Highrisers.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh Foxies barged into the quarterfinal round after dominating the Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers in a knockout match, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21.
Negrense libero Ann Monares emerged as a defensive anchor for the Foxies, tallying 14 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions to help her team secure the straight-sets victory.
Setting the tone offensively was rookie setter Alohi Robins-Hardy, who registered 15 excellent sets along with five points off four attacks and one service ace, while also contributing four excellent digs to earn Player of the Game honors./PN
