By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Chery Tiggo rode on another spectacular performance from Mylene Paat as it turned back Choco Mucho, 29-27, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20, to regain the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Tuesday (Oct. 25) at the PhilSports Arena.
Paat battled through cramps in the fourth set to finish with a match-high 25 points in leading the Crossovers to their fourth straight victory.
“The most important thing in this game is we all showed courage,” said the 28-year-old Paat.
It was also Paat who delivered when the Crossovers rallied to edge the Flying Titans in the extended opening set as well as in the third which they took it in dominating fashion.
And when Chery Tiggo needed her again after trailing by as much as three points early in the fourth frame, Paat responded and came through with crucial hits.
During the rare time she was rested, EJ Laure, Jelena Cvijovic, Cza Carandang and Dindin Manabat, back after missing the PVL Invitational due to an ankle injury, joined hands to produce the goods.
Paat returned late to help Chery Tiggo finish off Choco Mucho, which slipped to 2-2.
Laure finished with 15 points, Cvijovic 10 and Carandang nine.
Manabat, for her part, chipped in six hits in limited action.
Meantime, F2 Logistics showed it’s a legitimate title contender as it overpowered PLDT despite playing without Kalei Mau, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20.
Lindsay Stalzer carried the heaviest load and unloaded 19 points off 15 kills, two blocks and two service aces as the Cargo Movers nailed their second straight win after starting the season with two losses in a row.
Kianna Dy likewise stepped up as she scattered 12 hits, enough to fill the void left by Mau, due to an undisclosed injury from their previous game.
Stalzer outshone counterpart Elena Samoilenko, who had 17 points but didn’t draw enough support from her teammates to prevent the Power Hitters from absorbing their third loss in four outings.
