Crossovers end year with five-set win

MANILA, Philippines — Chery Tiggo survived a pesky Galeries Tower and escaped with a 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-8 victory yesterday to barge into the magic four in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

Cess Robles went on a tear and saved the day for her team by firing 21 points including 20 on kills as the Crossovers claimed their fourth victory in six starts that catapulted them back to No. 4 before the year ends.

It was a huge bounce-back victory for the 2021 Open Conference champion after succumbing to Akari, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20, Tuesday.

The win was one roller-coaster of a game for Chery Tiggo as it had to fight back from a deficit to snatch the extended opening set and, after dropping the second frame, blew a big lead in the third set that gave Galeries Tower a 2-1 set lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Crossovers rediscovered their rhythm in time to dominate the last two sets including the deciding frame where they just took the Highrisers out of their comfort zone.

“Effort talaga ng lahat kasi nung unang three sets, parang hindi maayos galaw namin, parang lumamya,” said Robles. “Pero lumabas naman po sa fourth set dahil gusto lahat manalo,” said Chery Tiggo coach Norman Miguel, who had to dig deeper on his bench to stave off an upset-conscious Galeries Tower.

And the rabbit he pulled from his magic hat late was setter Alina Bicar, who subbed in for Jasmine Nabor and helped deliver the killer blows.

“Lahat ng equation sa mathematics ginawa na namin. Pero ganun talaga sa coaching, gagawa ka ng mga balasa mo kung sino talaga magiging effective, ‘yun papasok mo,” he said.

Galeries Tower dropped to 1-5.