Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo
Chery Tiggo in big win vs Akari
PVL photosj
CHERY Tiggo outlasted newcomer Akari, 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 15-6, to reclaim the top spot in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Dragged to a decider for the first time this season, the Crossovers lost two of the first three sets before taking the next two to raise their record to 3-0.
Skipper Mylene Paat, who has been carrying Chery Tiggo in the season-ending conference, knows that her team needs to be aggressive as the tournament goes along.
“Nandoon na ang chemistry. We have to work out how to win,” said Paat, who led the Crossovers with 19 points, including two blocks. “Ang sabi ko sa mga teammates ko, kung gusto ninyong manalo, trabahuin ninyo.”
Cza Carandang had two service aces to finish with 18 points, while Montenegro’s Jelena Cvijovic, who led Chery Tiggo’s fifth set dominance, came through with team-highs four blocks and three aces to finish with 16 points to go with 13 receptions.
“It was a tough match,” said Cvijovic.
It was a sorry loss for the Chargers, who were poised for an upset behind strong efforts by Dominican Republic’s Prisilla Rivera and Janine Marciano only to fall short in the end.
Rivera had 30 points, while Marciano added 24 points, 18 digs and 14 receptions.
Akari fell in a tie with F2 Logistics to 1-2 in the lower half of the standings.
