Chery Tiggo rode on another sterling effort by Mylene Paat as it came back to outlast Akari, 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 15-6, to reclaim the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena Thursday, Oct. 20.
Paat pounded her way to a team-high 19-point performance as the Crossovers claimed their third straight victory that put them in prime position to gain a crack at their second title following their Open Conference conquest a year ago.
“Nag-relax kami noong una pero trinabaho naman namin para makabalik sa laro,” said Paat, who has been leading her team with an average of 18 points a game.
Jelena Cvijovic dished out her best scoring game and uncorked 16 points, including crucial aces in the fifth and final set that sparked the breakaway.
Cza Carandang and EJ Laure also lent Paat the needed support and scattered 18 and 14 hits, respectively.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Chargers, who appeared poised to hauling the win after a strong start.
But Akari slowed down in the end while Chery Tiggo stepped on the gas in the final two sets to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.
The Chargers, who were paced by Olympian Prisilla Rivera’s 30-hit explosion, fell to 1-2.
Akari also blew a big lead in the second set that Chery Tiggo eventually won on the heroics of Paat.