By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers clinched their first win of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference after taking down the shorthanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22.
Disaster immediately struck the Cargo Movers after missing the services of super import Lindsay Stalzer due to health and safety protocols.
Aside from Stalzer’s absence, CJ Saga and Tin Tiamzon were also dropped in the first game active lineup due to the same reason while superstar libero Dawn Macandili is still healing from an injury.
With the shaky start in the tournament, the Cargo Movers were forced to put Ara Galang and Aby Maraño in the libero spot.
Naturally, Galang is F2’s opposite spiker while the veteran Maraño plays a consistent middle blocker role since her college days.
“Actually, nagulat kami nung dumating yung lineup nila na ganun. We’re taking it na parang advantage kasi hindi yung original na positions yung nilalaro nila. Syempre yung posisyon nila umaatake sila, pumapasa sila tapos bigla silang nag-libero so malaking kawalan sila,” said Chery Tiggo head coach Clarence Esteban.
Mylene Paat led Chery Tiggo with a 16-point performance backstopped by collegiate sensation EJ Laure who contributed 11 points.
Despite only scoring six points in her PVL debut for the Crossovers, import Jelena Cvijovic turned her focus to floor defense and tallied 10 excellent receptions and seven successful digs.
Meanwhile, the import-less Cargo Movers was led by the returning Kalei Mau who finished with 20 points built from 17 successful attacks and eight receptions.
F2 will have the chance to enter the winning column when they clash with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans today at 5:30 PM.
