The Chery Tiggo Crossovers bounced back to stay in semifinals contention of the 2021 PVL Open Conference after making quick work of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24, at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Monday, Aug. 9.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat led Chery Tiggo with 16 kills and three service aces for 19 points while her sister Jaja Santiago, who spearheaded the third set heroics, hammered 13 points with three blocks.
Mylene Paat also scored 10 points, nine coming from attacks, Shaya Adorador added nine markers with two service aces, Beatriz Duremdez had 27 excellent digs, and Jasmine Nabor tossed 26 excellent sets for the Crossovers.
Santiago's quick kill put Chery Tiggo on its first match point, 24-23, but Choco Mucho's Kat Tolentino fired back a through-block-kill to make a 24-all deadlock.
With emotions running high on both teams, Santiago scored back-to-back points to seal the deal for the Crossovers off another quick attack and a service ace.
"Again, Choco Mucho gave us a good fight. You can see they’re very aggressive. Also, I just want to emphasize the ladies just need to be confident and they poured their hearts out for this match," said Chery Tiggo head coach Aaron Velez.
"We just have to work harder and I think whoever is hungrier, who is more aggressive, that will to win I think might have that advantage. We just have to remain focused and take up from where we left off and continue fighting."
Trailing by five points midway through the third set, 10-15, Choco Mucho delivered a 4-1 mini blitz to cut the deficit by two, 14-16, courtesy of Tolentino, Caitlin Viray, Maddie Madayag, and a service error from Rachel Anne Austero.
Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo went back-and-forth from that point on before the Flying Titans closed the gap by at least one point, 20-21.
Still down 20-23, Choco Mucho did not falter and unloaded a 3-0 run to tie the game at 23-all before Santiago put the finishing touches for the win.
Tolentino paced the Flying Titans with 12 attacks for 14 points.
Do-or-die Game 3 kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m.