Chery Tiggo forces do-or-die PVL semis vs Choco Mucho

The Chery Tiggo Crossovers turned the tables on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans with a 25-18, 25-22, 26-24 sweep to force a do-or-die Game 3 in their 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference semifinals series on Monday, August 9.

This marks the Chery Tiggo’s second sweep win over Choco Mucho in the last three days, with the last elimination round match and this day’s semis Game 2 sandwiching a sweep Game 1 loss.

Both teams will match up for the fourth and final time in as many days on Tuesday, August 10, guaranteeing an extra day in the conference’s compressed daily schedule.

Reigning Player of the Week Jaja Santiago came up clutch in this quick win, highlighted with a booming kill to put the Crossovers up 3, 23-20, late in the third set off a small 3-1 run.

Although a pair of Chery Tiggo attack errors opened the door for a Choco Mucho breakthrough at 23-all, the younger Santiago took matters into her own hands with 3 straight points to wrap up the revenge sweep.

She finished with 13 points off 8 attacks, 3 aces, and 2 blocks to win Player of the Game honors, while her older sister Dindin topscored with 19 markers off 16 spikes and 3 aces.

“I just want to emphasize that the ladies just need to be confident and they poured their hearts out for this match,” said Crossovers head coach Aaron Velez.

“We just have to work harder, and I think whoever is hungrier, and who’s more aggressive with that will to win, I think, might have that advantage. We just have to remain focused, take up from where we left off, and continue fighting.”

Kat Tolentino paced the Titans in the forgettable loss with 14 points off 12 attacks, and 2 blocks, while Maddie Madayag chipped in 7 markers with 4 blocks, and 3 spikes.

On the other end of the bracket, the Creamline Cool Smashers have a chance to seal the deal early with a sweep of the Petro Gazz Angels. – Rappler.com