By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers sent the Choco Mucho Flying Titans packing after ending their Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference playoffs hopes last March 9, 2023.
Chery Tiggo put up a dominant display of volleyball and swept the Flying Titans in just three sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Veteran superstar Mylene Paat showed the way for the Pro Crossovers after finishing the game with a flawless 25-point outing built from 22 successful attacks, two service aces, and a block.
The explosive outside hitter was efficient with her offensive barrage and single-handedly matched Choco Mucho’s firepower in the crucial last set.
When Choco Mucho started to claw their way back midway through the second set, it was Paat who answered the call for Chery Tiggo and helped them regain their offensive rhythm to end the last stretch in style.
Backstopping Paat was former Choco Mucho spiker Pauline Gaston who played one of her best games as the team’s newest member.
Gaston flirted with an all-around effort after contributing 12 markers, 19 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions.
“Again, I just want to keep on thanking the Lord for guiding us. Secondly, I just want to congratulate the ladies, they poured their heart out, they trusted one another, and then we stuck by the game plan,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Aaron Velez.
Despite an offensive explosion from superstar spiker Kat Tolentino, the Flying Titans struggled with their floor defense and gave up tons of freebies to Chery Tiggo.
The duo of Cza Carandang and Shaya Adorador stepped up in the absence of consistent scorer EJ Laure and combined for 22 points, with most of it coming in the intense first two sets.
Chery Tiggo will attempt to end their elimination phase on a high note when they square off with the Petro Gazz Angels on March 14, 2023, to be held at the San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.
