The Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers checked a three-game tailspin, beating the Galeries Tower Highrisers in their PVL Reinforced Conference match.
As soon as Shaya Adorador nailed the game-winner, the rest of Chery Tiggo let it all out, shouting and jumping for joy at the FilOil EcoOil Arena Thursday, Oct. 23.
It was understandable, as the Crossovers finally chalked up a breakthrough 25-9, 25-16, 25-22 win over Galeries Tower after a string of frustrating defeats in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
Just as happy was head coach Norman Miguel.
“Masaya dahil hindi maganda pinagdaanan namin mga past three games namin,” Miguel said during the post-game presser.
The seasoned mentor couldn’t help but feel relieved as his wards checked a three-game skid in Pool B.
But the much-needed dub didn’t come easy, especially in the third set.
While the Crossovers breezed through the first two sets behind Yunieska Batista (20 points), Ara Galang (11), and Pauline Gaston (10), it wasn’t the case in the third set.
Desperate to score a set, the Highrisers jumped to a 4-3 lead in the third frame to set up a back-and-forth battle towards the end.
Dindin Pacres kept Galeries Tower afloat with his timely hits, one of which was winning a joust against Batista. Ivy Perez then denied the latter from the left flank to tie the count at 22-all.
But Jelena Cvijovic saw her attack only kiss the net in the ensuing play, paving the way for Jean Asis, Gaston, and Adorador to put the finishing touches to the win.
Miguel said his wards’ resilience in the final set was a shot in the shoulders they badly needed.
“Masaya ako sa team especially in third set kasi bumalik yung dating character namin na kaya namaing kumapit at tapusin yung game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pacres and Perez paced the Highrisers with seven points apiece, while Cvijovic, Roselle Baliton, France Ronquillo, and Asis added six each.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco)
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.