Chery Tiggo squeaked through Nxled in a wild fourth-set finish, banking on poise and Jasmine Nabor’s smart plays as the Crossovers pounded out a tough 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 28-26 decision over the Chameleons to bolster their semifinal drive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Thursday night.
Nabor came through with a couple of 1-2 plays at endgame, the first anchoring the team’s quick transition that saw the Chameleons’ defense upfront napping and the last putting an end to a mad scramble that had been the norm all-game long.
The Crossovers also bucked the loss of middle Imee Hernandez, who sustained injury late in the second set after a bad landing off a spike attempt and had to be helped out of the court.
But it didn’t stop the Crossovers from securing their third straight victory and fifth overall in six games as they tied the PLDT High Speed Hitters at 5-1.
Creamline, unbeaten in four starts, is looking to stay ahead of the chasing pack as it plays arch rival Petro Gazz at presstime.
But an Angels’ victory will pave the way for a three-way tie at the top with the Crossovers and the High Speed Hitters while relegating the Cool Smashers to fourth spot.
“Credit sa team ni (Nxled) coach Taka (Minowa). Yung mga puntos na nakukuha namin talagang pinaghihirapan at ganun din sa kabila. So ang taas agad nung level na nilalaro ng kabila. Kami naman medyo masyadong malamig yung start namin,” said Chery Tiggo assistant coach Kung Fu Reyes.
Eya Laure top scored for the Crossovers with 23 points off 20 attacks and three kill blocks to go with 13 excellent digs while Paat, who played her second game since recovering from a foot injury, put on her best performance thus far with 16 points and Cess Robles also came up with 16 points on 14 attacks, one block and an ace laced with nine excellent receptions.
Nabor tossed 20 excellent sets and finished with seven points while Buding Duremdes had 11 excellent digs.
On the other hand, Lycha Ebon spearheaded the Chameleons with 18 points on 14 attacks that went with 10 excellent digs while the pair of Jho Maraguinot and Camille Victoria had 15 markers each.
After surprising Chery Tiggo in the first set, Nxled actually had a chance to go all way in pursuit of a second win in seven games. But the Crossovers wore down the Chameleons in an extended second set battle to draw level then rallied in the third with a closing 7-1 run to go up.
But just when the Crossovers thought they had the Chameleons all figured out in the fourth, the latter fought back late in the set, forcing a tie at 19 on an Eya Laure net touch while on attack.
Nxled grabbed the lead at 22-21 on a May Luna off-the-block hit but Chery Tiggo rattled three straight points on a couple of Pauline Gaston hits and a Mylene Paat kill block.
But the Chameleons proved they were far from being finished, saving two match points and dragging their fancied rivals to another extended duel, replicating the drama and thrill of the second set.
But Chery Tiggo’s experience and composure again prevailed at crunch time.
