CHERY Tiggo completed the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals cast with a rousing five-set comeback against Galeries Tower, 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9, on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.
From a set down, Alina Bicar steered the Crossovers to their seventh straight win and onto the semis with 16 excellent sets and four points in the face of a resilient stand by the also-ran Highrisers.
READ: Choco Mucho dodges a bullet vs Farm Fresh in five-set thriller
Result aside, the Crossovers only needed to win two sets in their prelims finale against the Highrisers to secure a superior match points haul (CTC 25 - 20 PLDT) and oust the High Speed Hitters.
Chery Tiggo ended up tied with Choco Mucho for the league's best record of 9-2 (win-loss) at the end of the prelims. Defending champion Creamline and Petro Gazz wound up a game behind at 8-3.
"Mapapa-thank you Lord ka na lang sa game na 'to kasi nga (anybody's) game at kami pa naghabol. Sa dulo, tumama 'yung adjustments namin and may nag-step up nu'ng unstable galaw ng wing spikers namin. 'Yung respeto na binigay namin sa Galeries (Tower), talagang binigay namin. Talagang nag-prepare kami para rito," said Chery Tiggo head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Reyes said he's confident about their chances, saying their competitiveness automatically ramps up in the semifinals.
"Kung sinong pinaka-healthy, 'yan ang malaki ang chance," he added.
Regardless of set scores, one last prelims win was enough for the Crossovers to secure back-to-back semifinals appearances. But it didn't come easy against a gritty Galeries Tower side that came one set away from playing spoiler to Chery Tiggo's top four charge.
Eya Laure's game-high 20 markers built on 15 attacks and five blocks with 18 receptions alongside Ara Galang's 13 points cut the Highrisers down to size in a dominant 13-point fourth-set rout before getting the job done in the fifth-set tiebreak.
Meanwhile, Galeries Tower took a step forward from its dismal debut stint with three victories in its sophomore conference. France Ronquillo led three Highrisers in double figures with 15 points to end their All-Filipino tilt at 3-9.
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