Chery Tiggo eliminates Black Mamba Army, cruises closer to PVL semis


Photo from PVL Media Bureau

Chery Tiggo clobbered Black Mamba Army, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, to move a win away from the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Wednesday, August 4 at the PVC Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. 

Star sisters Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago fueled the fiery offense as the Crossovers zoomed to their third straight win for an overall 6-2 record, still good for the No. 3 spot behind Choco Mucho (6-0) and Creamline (6-1). 

Dindin came through with 18 points built on 16 kills and two service aces while Jaja put up 15 markers on 12 spikes, two blocks and an ace for Chery, which could assure a seat in the final four with an upset victory over Choco Mucho in the last elimination round game on Saturday. 

Mylene Paat chipped in eight points and nine excellent receptions, Shaya Adorador added seven markers to go with 16 excellent digs even as Jasmine Nabor orchestrated the Crossovers' attack with 29 excellent sets. 

"I'm happy again and more than thankful to the players for performing. We just have to continue scouting the other team and invest in our physical conditioning and mental preparation," said Chery head coach Aaron Velez. 

Powered by the Santiago sisters with the help of Nabor, Chery cruised to strong starts to handily take the first two sets. 

Army put up a better fight in the third set and even threatened within 20-23 behind veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga. 

But Dindin went for a crosscourt kill to push the Crossovers to match point and after Gonzaga kept the Lady Troopers alive, Adorador scored the winning point with an off the block hit. 

Gonzaga was the lone bright spot with 11 points all via spikes for Army, which crashed out of playoff contention as it suffered its second straight setback and fell to 2-5. 

The Lady Troopers crashed out of playoff contention as they suffered their second straight setback and fell to 2-5.