CHERY TIGGO kept its spotless record after dealing Cignal its first loss of the 2025 PVL on Tour in a 25-13, 26-28, 25-15, 25-15 decision on Saturday in Passi City, Iloilo.
Longtime UST second-stringer Renee Peñafiel, the 26th overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft, topscored for Chery Tiggo with 18 points on 12 attacks, three blocks and three aces.
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The Crossovers, the last unbeaten team in Pool B, now share identical 3-0 records with Pool A leaders PLDT and Nxled.
"Proud kami not only kay Penafiel but du’n sa mga rookies namin sa draft na gradual na nakakasabay na sila sa system. Nakita naman din namin kasi yung heart nila na gusto talagang maglaro for Chery Tiggo and prove something for Chery Tiggo," said Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel.
Backing Peñafiel's breakout game were veteran wingers Ara Galang with 15 points and Cess Robles' 14-point, 14-dig double-double.
The returning Imee Hernandez continues to rediscover her old form with an 11-point performance from the middle.
The Crossovers improve to 3-0 (win-loss), dropping the HD Spikers to 3-1.
Dodging an early roadblock
A second-set blunder cost Chery Tiggo the chance to close out Cignal in straight sets where it led by as much as seven at 20-13.
Cignal mounted a 12-4 run to take the first set point of the third frame at 25-24.
It took two more set points for the HD Spikers to complete the comeback before newcomers Erika Santos (14 points) and Heather Guino-o (six points) delivered the set-clinching one-two punch.
From there, Chery Tiggo re-took the driver’s seat and held multiple leads across the third and fourth sets that ballooned to as much as nine for win number three in the preseason tilt.
Also paving the way for the Crossovers’ victory was a match-high 33 unforced errors from Cignal in the four-set contest.
Cignal and Chery Tiggo will close out the Passi City leg on Sunday against ZUS Coffee and Creamline, respectively.
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