MANILA – Chery Tiggo Crossovers handed PLDT High Speed Hitters their first loss in the 2024 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference with a 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22 victory on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jennifer Nierva showcased her defensive prowess, finishing with a double-double of 17 excellent digs and 16 receptions to be named Player of the Game as the Crossovers improved to a 2-1 win-loss slate.
“I came into the match well-prepared. I studied all of PLDT’s tendencies, analyzing everything they might do and I just applied it in this game,” Nierva shared in a post-game interview.
“We’ve identified a lot of areas that need improvement. We’re still far from our ultimate goal, but every day we’re working hard to get better,” added the former National University Lady Bulldogs libero.
Ilongga Princess Ann Robles led the Crossovers with 17 points, while Victorinara Galang, Ilongga Ma. Shaya Adorador, and Pauline Gaston combined for 34 markers, while Alina Bicar had 15 excellent sets to go with two points.
Savannah Davison finished with 27 points, Erika Santos added 13 markers, Dell Palomata put in nine markers and Majoy Baron and Fiola Ceballos tallied seven and six points, respectively, as the High Speed Hitters dropped to 3-1.
Meanwhile, defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers stayed undefeated after a 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-20 victory sister team Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Jessica Galanza finished with a conference-high of 24 points, built on 22 attacks, one block, and a service ace, to go with 17 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs as the Cool Smashers improved to a 3-0 win-loss slate.
Michele Gumabao added 22 points, on 19 attacks and three blocks, while former Flying Titan middle blocker Bea de Leon contributed 10 markers for the defending champions Cool Smashers.
“’Yung Choco [Mucho] talaga, hindi talaga magpapatalo talaga basta-basta. Alam namin babalik sila sa game so sabi ko sa mga players is mag-enjoy lang, mag-perform ng maayos para makuha ‘yung panalo,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses./PN
