CHERY Tiggo outlasted Petro Gazz in five fiercely fought sets, 25-21,18-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-13, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eya Laure, celebrating her birthday, unloaded 15 points on 13 attacks and 12 excellent digs to lead a brave fightback by the Crossovers from one set down on the way to their fourth win in six games in the season-opening conference.
Laure cites coach, teammates
Laure paid tribute to her coach and teammates.
“Pasalamat ko na lang sa buong Chery, coaches, PTs, lalo na sina coach Kungfu at ‘yung mga kasama ko sa loob, ‘yung mga teammates ko na, hindi sila nagsasawang i-motivate rin ako para mabalik ko at magawa ko ‘yung ginagawa ko talaga na natural at ‘yung confidence rin sa sarili,” said Laure.
Eya Laure was among four players who reached double figures, with Ara Galang contributing 12 points, and EJ Laure and Mylene Paat each adding 10 points to the scoreboard.
Chery Tiggo took the first set through Ces Robles’ crucial blocks.
Petro Gazz, however, changed the complexion of the match by taking the next two sets with Brooke Van Sickle leading the offense.
Laure sisters deliver
In the fourth frame, the Crossovers regrouped, relying on the Laure sisters to counter Petro Gazz's offensive prowess.
Chery Tiggo gained momentum in the fifth set, but Petro Gazz mounted a comeback to level the score at 7-7. The final set saw a series of deadlocks, with Jonah Sabete and Paat exchanging crucial points. Ultimately, a failed block touch challenge from the Angels secured the win for the Crossovers.
“Naging maganda especially ‘yung last two sets namin kasi nga ‘yung character na gusto nila o naming mangyari, nandoon na. So, ‘yun ‘yung communication [at] ‘yung grit [...] Sabi nga namin, hangga’t hindi tapos ‘yung laro, walang titigi’,” said coach Kungfu Reyes.
On the opposing side, Van Sickle led the Angels with a career-high 27 points, supported by Jonah Sabete's 22-point contribution.
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