Chery Tiggo nails first win in Champions League

MANILA, Philippines — Chery Tiggo found collegiate powerhouse St. Benilde a tough nut to crack before carving out a 29-27, 27-29, 25-18, 25-23 breakthrough win in the PNVF Champions League yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Former PVL MVP Mylene Paat fired 16 points to lead all scorers as ex-F2 Logistics aces Aby Maraño and Ara Galang finally let loose with 12 points apiece in the Crossovers’ big rebound.

Cza Carandang also chipped in 12 points as the Crossovers grinded out the win in two hours and six minutes to avenge their 26-28, 19-25, 25-27 defeat against Cignal HD Spikers for their foiled debut.

“Ang naging advantage lang namin siguro ‘yung maturity ng mga players sa loob ng court kasi first two sets, medyo struggle eh,” said assistant coach Brian Esquibel, stepping up in place of chief tactician Kungfu Reyes, who had to mentor Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 girls’ knockout playoffs.

Ranged against the Lady Blazers, the undisputed back-to-back champions of the NCAA and PNVF Challenge Cup, the Crossovers struggled with multiple deficits early in the duel.

Stamping its veteran pedigree though, Chery Tiggo time and again held on just enough to thwart the young but formidable St. Benilde – especially in the back-and-forth first and fourth frames.

Gayle Pascual had 19 points to headline the Lady Blazers’ valiant stand as the only collegiate team in the five-squad tilt presented by the PNVF as its first event this year.

Wielyn Estoque (12), Rhea Mae Densing (11) and Zamantha Nolasco (11) threw in help for St. Benilde.