Coming off their most uneven performance in the 2021 PVL Open Conference, Jaja Santiago and Chery Tiggo bounced back big-time in their most inspired showing, besting defending champion Creamline in four sets 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, and 25-20, Friday at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The Crossovers were just two days removed from a disappointing five-set fall to Sta. Lucia, but wasted no time getting refocused and getting back on track. They needed to as they were facing off with the Cool Smashers who had not tasted defeat since July 14, 2019.
Santiago put her power on display all throughout, quickly forgetting her subpar 14-hit outing in their loss to the Lady Realtors. Sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat was right there with her as well as a rejuvenated Mylene Paat and a returning Maika Ortiz.
Paat shined bright in Set 1, finishing perfect setups from Jasmine Nabor left and right as Chery Tiggo breezed to an easy win.
The second set looked like the back-and-forth affair just about everybody expected as the two teams were all even at 20. It was at that point, though, that the Santiagos connived for an unforgiving 5-3 finishing kick for a commanding 2-0 set lead.
The Crossovers remained in control early in the third frame and even had a six-point edge before Alyssa Valdez willed Creamline back. It was her single block on Santiago and then attack off of Arianne Layug's fingertips that completed their comeback and forced a fourth period.
There was not to be another collapse in the fourth, as the Santiago sisters and Paat drove Chery Tiggo in front once and for all en route to barging back into the win column now at 4-2, good for solo fourth.
On the other hand, Creamline dropped its first loss after six starts in its title defense.
In the day's first game, Choco Mucho warded off fighting BaliPure for a well-earned four-set win, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, and 25-21.
The victory was the Flying Titans' fifth straight to start the season. Following sister squad Creamline's stunning defeat, they now find themselves alone atop the leaderboard, already armed with at least a playoff for a semifinal berth.
Still, coach Oliver Almadro tempered expectations for his young team, whose core is composed of his former players from Ateneo.
"Our 5-0 record is nothing. What's important is that we continue to learn every day. We still have a lot of things to do," said Almadro.
Kat Tolentino submitted another MVP-worthy performance with 25 points, all but two from attacks, while Bea de Leon added 10 markers. With Tolentino leading the way, Choco Mucho hammered down 49 spikes, nine more than their rivals, as legendary libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla also kept the floor clean with 31 digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Paat shined bright in Set 1, finishing perfect setups from Jasmine Nabor left and right as Chery Tiggo breezed to an easy win.
The second set looked like the back-and-forth affair just about everybody expected as the two teams were all even at 20. It was at that point, though, that the Santiagos connived for an unforgiving 5-3 finishing kick for a commanding 2-0 set lead.
The Crossovers remained in control early in the third frame and even had a six-point edge before Alyssa Valdez willed Creamline back. It was her single block on Santiago and then attack off of Arianne Layug's fingertips that completed their comeback and forced a fourth period.
There was not to be another collapse in the fourth, as the Santiago sisters and Paat drove Chery Tiggo in front once and for all en route to barging back into the win column now at 4-2, good for solo fourth.
On the other hand, Creamline dropped its first loss after six starts in its title defense.
In the day's first game, Choco Mucho warded off fighting BaliPure for a well-earned four-set win, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, and 25-21.
The victory was the Flying Titans' fifth straight to start the season. Following sister squad Creamline's stunning defeat, they now find themselves alone atop the leaderboard, already armed with at least a playoff for a semifinal berth.
Still, coach Oliver Almadro tempered expectations for his young team, whose core is composed of his former players from Ateneo.
"Our 5-0 record is nothing. What's important is that we continue to learn every day. We still have a lot of things to do," said Almadro.
Kat Tolentino submitted another MVP-worthy performance with 25 points, all but two from attacks, while Bea de Leon added 10 markers. With Tolentino leading the way, Choco Mucho hammered down 49 spikes, nine more than their rivals, as legendary libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla also kept the floor clean with 31 digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz kept its foot on the pedal and cruised past Perlas in straight sets 25-17, 25-18, 25-17 behind Grethcel Soltones and her 17 points, 11 coming from kills and five from aces.
It was "The Lady Beast's" fifth and final ace that wrapped up the Angels' fourth win in five games. Ria Meneses also stood as a sentinel at the net, tallying a dominant 10 blocks and totaling 15 markers in their third triumph in a row that catapulted them to solo third.
The Perlas Spikers failed to build on the momentum from their long-awaited breakthrough last Thursday to drop to 1-3. With more assignments in the horizon, however, they still have more than a fighter's chance at the Final Four.
The same cannot be said for BaliPure who, at 2-3, will need to get a winning streak going to give themselves a shot. Reigning Player of the Week Graze Bombita, as always, anchored their attack with 15 points.