By NIKOLE JAVIER
Chery Tiggo opened its 2023 season with a sweep of Cignal, 27-25, 25-19, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night, Feb. 7, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Crossovers kept their poise in the face of HD Spikers’ gallant comeback in the third set to tie Creamline, F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho for the early lead.
Chery Tiggo’s Shaya Adorador poured in 16 points, including the last two points of the match while Mylene Paat and EJ Laure added 15 and 13 points, respectively.
In the first game, F2 Logistics beat PLDT in five exciting sets, 25-22, 25-21, 14-25, 19-25, 16-14, to likewise jumpstart its title campaign in style and give new coach Regine Diego a winning start.
It didn’t take long for former Petro Gazz spiker Myla Pablo to make an instant impact for the Cargo Movers after finishing with 21 points off 20 attacks and one block.
Kianna Dy also shone for the team with her own 17-point outing highlighted by the game-winning point.
Aby Maraño had 11 points, including a mighty block off Mika Reyes that put the Cargo Movers to match point.
Down by six in the third set, 8-2, Cignal steadily crawled from the deficit and tied the game at 14-all.
However, Chery Tiggo would knock some sense in itself by unleashing a 7-2 run capped by Laure’s back-to-back hits.
Cignal pulled itself within two once more, 22-20, courtesy of Ria Meneses’ running attack followed by a service ace.
But the Crossovers refused to be intimidated as Adorador came through with huge plays that all but weakened Cignal’s spirit.
Ces Molina paced the HD Spikers with 16 points all from attacks.
