MANILA – Chery Tiggo Crossovers came back from the deaths to unseat the Creamline Cool Smashers, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8, in a thrilling do-or-die Game 3 of the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference finals on Friday in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat had an impressive performance for the Crossovers with 32 points on 30 attacks, one block, and a service ace, while younger sister Jaja Santiago backed her up with 26 markers on 22 attacks and four blocks.
Jasmine Nabor tossed 34 excellent sets and carved out four points, Ma. Shaya Adorador dropped 36 excellent receptions and five points, while Beatriz Duremdes chipped in 26 digs and 15 receptions.
This was the Crossovers franchise’s third volleyball championship after capturing two Grand Prix tiaras under the banner of Foton Tornadoes in the Philippine Superliga in 2015 and 2016.
Badly beaten by the Cool Smashers in the first two sets, the Crossovers opened the third set with an 11-4 lead on consecutive points by Santiago and Mylene Paat. Creamline cut it to 11-14, but back-to-back hits by Paat increased it back to 16-12.
Chery Tiggo made it a 23-15 spread on conversions from Santiago-Manabat and Santiago, but Creamline made its last push at 21-24 before the Crossovers closed the set with a booming kill from Paat.
Creamline set the tone in scoring in the fourth frame with a 13-7 upperhand. However, Chery Tiggo mustered another fightback behind Santiago-Manabat and Santiago for a 22-20 advantage.
The Cool Smashers then unloaded three straight points to force the final deadlock at 23-all, but a block by Santiago on Creamline’s Diana Carlos and a powerful hit by Santiago-Manabat clinched the fourth set to Crossovers.
Chery Tiggo took advantage of a disoriented Creamline in the fifth set as they zoomed to a 7-1 start behind blocks and attack points by Santiago. Creamline showed some life as they trimmed the deficit to 5-10 on a Michelle Gumabao connection.
Consecutive attacks by Santiago, Maika Ortiz, and Nabor sent the Crossovers to championship point at 14-7. After an error by Chery Tiggo, Santiago sealed the championship for her squad with a strong attack.
“Sobrang saya maging champion. As a team, ang dami naming pinagdaanan. Ang dami namin naging problema. Hindi kami sumuko sa isa’t-isa,” said Santiago, who was hailed as the Most Valuable Player.
Carlos led the way for the dethroned champions Creamline with 22 points on 15 attacks, five blocks, and two service aces, while Valdez was held to just 17 points, including 15 attacks.
BOX SCORES:
CHERY TIGGO – Santiago-Manabat 32, Santiago 26, Paat 7, Adorador 5, Nabor 4, Ortiz 3, Buitre 1, Layug 1, Dacoron 1, Austero 1, Kasilag 0, Sy 0, Duremdes (L)
CREAMLINE – Carlos 22, Valdez 17, Sato 14, Galanza 14, Panaga 8, Gumabao 2, Morado 1, Vargas 0, Negrito 0, Atienza (L), De Jesus (L).
SET SCORES:
23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8./PN
