Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) – The Chery Tiggo Crossovers imposed their might to eliminate the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in three sets, 25-16, 26-24, 25-23, in their do-or-die 2021 PVL Open Conference Game 3 semifinals matchup at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The Santiago sisters again topped the scoring line as the Crossovers barge into an interesting finals duel with the Creamline Cool Smashers. Chery Tiggo is the only team that beat Creamline this season and broke the latter’s 25-game winning streak dating back to 2019.
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The taller Jaja finished with 17 points while older sister Dindin had 16 points, 15 are from spikes.
“We really prepared for this game today as we reflected on all the sacrifices we made since we started our bubble training. We relied on each other and we don’t want to finish in third or fourth place, our goal is to win the championship,” said Jasmine Nabor, who produced 28 excellent sets in their crucial game.
The Crossovers surprised the Flying Titans in the first set with a dominant offensive form as they attacked from all ends of the floor and notching service aces.
Choco Mucho adjusted well in the second set in capitalizing on their patented interior offense, but the veteran experience of Chery Tiggo prevailed down the stretch after the Santiago sisters scored crucial hits coupled with an error and outside hit from the Flying Titans.
The third set became a more exciting affair as the Crossovers bounced back from a three-point deficit to steal the lead from the Flying Titans, 21-20, via a Nabor ace and a Dindin Santiago kill. A rotation error by Choco Mucho extended Chery Tiggo’s lead to two.
Flying Titans opposite hitter Kat Tolentino made an off-the-block point to tie the game at 23-all, following a service error from Dindin Santiago in the previous play.
Mylene Paat answered with her own off-the-block hit to put the Crossovers at match point. A ball return error from Choco Mucho sealed Chery Tiggo’s finals trip in the first season of PVL as a professional league.
Tolentino and Maddie Madayag combined in boosting Choco Mucho’s scoring efforts with 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Oliver Almadro-coached squad was relegated to the battle for third against the Petro Gazz Angels on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Game 1 of the best-of-three 2021 PVL Open Conference finals between Creamline and Chery Tiggo is also set for Wednesday at 5 p.m.
