Chery Tiggo rose from a second-set stumble to outplay Creamline, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-21, and force a winner-take-all match for the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference title Thursday night at the PVC Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Jaja Santiago powered the Crossovers anew with 25 points built on 20 attacks, three blocks and two aces to stay alive in their best-of-three finals showdown.
Chery Tiggo came into the match determined to extend the series following a 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7 Game 1 defeat Wednesday with Santiago teaming up with sister Dindin Manabat in neutralizing Creamline’s attacks.
The Crossovers pulled away from a 15-all tie to a matchpoint, 24-20, after back-to-back kills from Manabat and Shaya Adorador
Alyssa Valdez briefly retaliated for Creamline with her down-the-line spike, but Manabat answered back with her own attack that sealed Chery Tiggo’s win and lived for another day.
Santiago said they banked on their mental toughness, knowing that Creamline is a tough team to beat when matches go the distance.
Game 3 will be on Friday.