By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Chery Tiggo drew strength from the unusual sources as it clobbered Petro Gazz, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21, Thursday to claim its first victory in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
Setter Alina Bicar provided the spark while Czarina Grace Carandang the firepower in propelling the Crossovers to their first victory after starting out the conference with three straight defeats.
Bicar took advantage of her first start in place of Jasmine Nabor and dished out 13 excellent sets and chipping in five hits while Carandang drilled in 11 hits that spelled the difference for Chery Tiggo.
It also kept last year’s Open Conference champion in the hunt for one of the four spots to the semifinals.
“We promise our fans to keep on fighting until the end,” said Bicar, who was picked this conference after suiting up for Bali Pure in the Open Conference early this year.
Shaya Adorador and Mylene Paat remained as constant forces for Chery Tiggo after scattering 15 and 12 hits, respectively, while returnee EJ Laure sneaked in 13 points herself.
The Angels, in contrast, suffered their fourth straight defeat – their bid to advance to the next stage now in peril.
It was another heartbreaking setback for a Petro Gazz squad that was tipped to make a big splash this conference following a runner-up finish behind Creamline a conference ago.