MANILA – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers clinched the 2021 PNVF Champions League crown via a 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 thrashing of Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Thursday at the Aquamarine Sports Complex in Lipa, Batangas.
Filipina-Hawaiian star Kalei Mau came through with 16 kills, 19 receptions and nine digs. Iris Tolenada tossed 17 excellent sets to go with four service aces and a block.
It was a sweet return for the many-time Philippine Superliga champions after being away from competitive volleyball for almost 20 months. They swept all their five matches without dropping a single set.
“I am very happy because it’s a first ever national volleyball tournament title,” said Cargo Movers head coach Ramil De Jesus. “It feels so good. The players are crying because this is the first time they played as a team after two years due to the pandemic.”
Behind the strong showing of Mau, Kim Kianna Dy, llongga Abigail Maraño and Mary Joy Baron, the Cargo Movers secured the tiara after winning the first two sets due to more tournament points collected.
In the third set, F2 Logistics erased a 20-18 deficit behind back-to-back attack errors by the Crossovers before finishing the match on consecutive conversions from Mau.
For topping the six-team, week-long tournament, the Cargo Movers earned the right to represent the country in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship slated in May 2022.
Dy was later hailed as the tournament Most Valuable Player and best Opposite Spiker. Teammates Maraño was 1st Best Middle Blocker, Tolenada was Best Setter and Dawn Macandili was Best Libero.
Crossovers team captain Dindin Santiago-Manabat, meanwhile, was hailed as the 2nd Best Outside Hitter while Maika Ortiz was 2nd Best Middle Blocker. Petro Gazz Angels’ Frances Molina was 1st Best Outside Hitter.
The Crossovers, the recently-crowned Premier Volleyball League champions, finished the week-long tournament at second place with 3-2 win-loss slate despite playing minus Jaja Santiago, who is currently with Saitama Ageo Medics in Japan.
Meanwhile, Angels bagged the third place trophy after a 25-11, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20 beating of Tuguegarao-Perlas Spikers. Marivic Meneses spearheaded the Angels offense with 19 points, including 18 attacks./PN
