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| Chery Tiggo rose from a two-set disadvantage to win the PVL Open Conference in five sets. PVL Media Bureau |
By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA,
Philippines – Make way for the comeback queens.
Chery
completed an improbable comeback from a two sets down to fashion out a 23-25,
20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8 win over Creamline and be crowned as the champions of
the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference Friday at the PCV Socio-Civic
and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The
Crossovers once again leaned on the monster games of the Santiago sisters and
negated the Cool Smashers in the fifth set en route to the championship in the
first professional volleyball league in the country.
The win
also snapped Creamline’s two-year reign in the Open Conference.
Jaja Santiago
anchored Chery to a commanding 9-2 advantage in the deciding set before
unleashing the game-winning hit for the final count.
Dindin
Manabat powered her way to 32 points on 30 attacks, while newly-minted Finals
MVP Jaja added 26 anchored on 22 attacks and four blocks.
Buding
Duremdes clicked on the defensive side with 26 digs and 20 receptions, while
Shaya Adorador had 36 receptions.
It was a
long and tiring road to the crown for Chery Tiggo, playing seven consecutive
games starting the end of the elimination round, including the three-game
semifinals series win against Choco Mucho.
Tots Carlos
scored 22 points and Alyssa Valdez had 17 on 15 attacks apiece for Creamline,
whose 24 unforced errors proved costly in the game. Risa Sato and Jema Galanza both
accounted for 14 markers.
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