After setting a conference-high 41 points, Yunieska Batista is quick to focus on the Chery Tiggo Crossovers' next match in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
After a slow start to the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, Yunieska Batista knew it was time to go all out.
The Cuban spiker delivered a monster performance with a conference-high 41 points to lift Chery Tiggo past Capital1, 27-25, 23-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-13, on Tuesday, November 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Despite the huge numbers, Batista was quick to credit her teammates and the team’s collective mindset for the victory.
“As a professional player and all the team, every game, we go to win every game,” she said during the post-game press conference. “Sometimes, it’s going well, sometimes, it doesn’t go well. But when you are a professional, you always have motivation, and you always have to be disciplined to try your best every time.”
Total team effort
Batista, who erupted for eight of her 41 points in the final frame, said her late-game surge came from the belief and encouragement of her teammates during the tight finish.
“In the fifth set, I had a lot of support from the team,” she recalled. “I had support from the leader who told me, ‘Go out, I will come and catch the ball.’ I had support from the setter even when I made mistakes, she stayed calm. So, this is a team victory.”
Yunieska Batista spikes the ball during Chery Tiggo's five-set win over Capital1. | Photo: PVL
The 32-year-old veteran added that success for the Crossovers stems from discipline and trust in the system, the coaches, and each other.
“We work hard every day, every practice, going slowly, and trust the process, trust the coaches, trust the players,” Batista continued. “That’s what we do.”
Staying grounded amid the grind
As the Crossovers continue their quarterfinal push, Batista remains focused on the bigger picture as they head into their final two preliminary games.
“I always want to win,” she said. “So, we go step by step. We go home, we rest, we prepare with the coaches and the stats team. We do what they say, we make our job, they make theirs.
“We trust them, everyone. Step by step, focus on rest, and then the next game.”
With the win, Chery Tiggo improved its quarterfinal hopes with a 2-4 record and will look to build momentum when it faces PLDT on Saturday, November 15, at the Ynares Center Montalban.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.