Cess Robles and Jen Nierva celebrate a point for Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a game against Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Chery Tiggo returned to the winning column after outlasting Galeries Tower, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-8, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at PhilSports Arena.
Coming off a loss to Akari last Tuesday, rising Cess Robles drove the Crossovers past the gritty Highrisers with 21 points, all but one on attacks, apart from 11 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs to end this year on a 4-2 record.
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“It was really everyone’s effort. In the first three sets, our movements were off and sluggish, but we got it together in the fourth set,” Robles said. “Everyone wanted to win.”
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
Aby Maraño contributed 15 points, Pauline Gaston 14 points, all but one on attacks, Shaya Adorador 13 points and Ara Galang, who joined hands with Maraño to stop a combined six attacks of the Highrisers at the net, 11 points.
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Jen Nierva did her part on the defensive effort with 21 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as Jas Nabor tossed 13 excellent sets.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ Cess Robles in a game against Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“What stuck with me was what Coach Norman [Miguel] said last game: one person’s point is everyone’s point, and one person’s error is everyone’s error. So, as Princess mentioned, it was truly a team effort,” Gaston said.
“It started with Jennifer’s great passes, which allowed the setter to deliver. With those good passes, everything began to flow smoothly in the fourth and fifth sets,” she added.
READ: PVL: Nierva does her own study of PLDT offense, leads Chery Tiggo win
The Crossovers went on full drive to rush to a 12-5 lead in the deciding frame before Jho Maraguinot and Ysa Jimenez scored back-to-back points for Galeries Tower who then committed an error, 13-7.
“Earlier, before the game started, we talked about how this was our last game before the holiday season. So, we agreed to give our full effort. Thankfully, it translated well, and I’m really happy—even though it was nerve-wracking at first,” Miguel said.
“But the statement we made by finishing the game earlier really showed our character. It wasn’t just about skills—we tried so many combinations—but it was their character that truly stood out. They really wanted to win. I’m super happy.”
Robles brought Chery Tiggo to match point with two consecutive smart plays to end the two-hour and 26 minute encounter.
Galeries Tower, who scored a first win against winless Capital in Cebu, sank to 1-5 despite three cogs in double-digits. France Ronquillo top scored with 18 points, Jewel Encarnacion 16 points and Jimenez 15 points.
Alyssa Eroa’s 26 excellent digs, Julia Coronel’s 12 excellent sets and the 11 excellent receptions of Encarnacion all went to naught in the losing effort .
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Chery returns next year opposite Petro Gazz on Jan. 21 in the same Pasig City venue after Galeries Tower battles flawless Cignal which is battling the Angels as of posting.