By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Another day, another slay.
What a moment for this year’s Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after the Chery Tiggo Crossovers broke the Creamline Cool Smashers’ 19-game winning streak after sweeping them in straight sets, 25-18, 26-24, 25-23, on March 16, 2024, at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex.
Looking formidable for two years already after their last loss came at the 2023 Invitational Conference grand finals when Kurashiki Ablaze ousted Creamline, the Crossovers entered the matchup with no pressure but with the main aim of bouncing back after losing back-to-back outings in their previous scheduled games.
Prepared, laser-focused, and all-systems-go against the Cool Smashers, the Crossovers looked like a different team after showing a much-improved floor defense and middle blocking.
In their last matches, Chery Tiggo looked flat and were in disarray on both ends of the floor. However, head coach Kungfu Reyes devised the perfect game plan against the Cool Smashers and used another different starting lineup to disrupt Creamline’s initial preparation.
Eya Laure was in the zone against the defending champions as she carried the load offensively for the Crossovers, dropping 14 points derived from 12 successful attacks alongside two service aces.
It was Laure who immediately set the tone for the Crossovers as her relentless attack paid off dividends for Chery Tiggo, helping them jump into the driver’s seat in the opening set.
Two keys to Chery Tiggo’s streak-busting win were their floor coverage and team defense communication. With their defense working wonders, the Creamline high-octane attack suddenly went passive and ineffective in the game.
Ara Galang also showed why she is one of the team’s top scorers after backstopping Laure with 10 points built from 12 successful attacks and six excellent digs.
Galang picked up where Laure left off and let her presence felt in the crucial stretches in the last two sets.
In back-to-back possessions that helped Chery Tiggo bag the win, it was Galang’s signature off-speed spin spike that sealed the deal for the Crossovers.
“Pero one step at a time. Eto sanang panalo namin, masabi rin sana namin na kaya naming lumaban as a team. Teamwork lang. Isa rin naman yun sa mga dreams din namin na sana kung merong mga naka-pink, kahit papano i-achieve naman na kalahati next time,” said Laure after the win.
