CHERY Tiggo made the championship picture clearer by booting out three teams from finals contention with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 win over ZUS Coffee in the 2025 PVL Invitational on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Creamline, Cignal and ZUS Coffee can no longer reach the PVL Finals with three losses each.
READ: Kobe Shinwa stuns Creamline, stays on track for PVL finals seat
It leaves Chery Tiggo and Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University as the last two contenders for the second finals seat and the right to take on PLDT for the Invitational title.
Returning Alas Pilipinas libero Jen Nierva posted 19 receptions and 11 digs, behind Cess Robles' 17 markers, for Chery Tiggo's third win in four matches.
Ara Galang pitched in nine markers, with rookie Renee Penafiel adding eight.
"Mas nakakapag-adjust naman na ako. The past two games, nakuha namin 'yung result, which is good, and at the same time, I think slowly, tina-try lang namin maging consistent with how we work inside the court," said Nierva.
The depleted Thunderbelles' first Invitational stint continue to worsen as they absorb three straight defeats, becoming the last winless team in the six-team field.
Kate Santiago paced the loss with 11 points and eight receptions.
Clear-cut win
ZUS Coffee only found itself within striking distance of Chery Tiggo late in the third set, with a chance to force a fourth-set extension.
From 20-all, both teams traded points until hitting the 23-all mark.
It forced the Crossovers into making one last timeout succeeded by a pair of expensive attack errors from Santiago and Wielyn Estoque, who had nine markers, handing Chery Tiggo the win.
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