Chery Tiggo came out on top of Choco Mucho once and for all on Tuesday inside the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte courtesy of a well-earned 25-16, 26-24, and 25-23 win that catapulted the Crossovers to the Finals of the 2021 PVL Open Conference.
There, Jaja Santiago and company challenge defending champion Creamline in another best-of-three series. Chery Tiggo is the only team to have downed the Cool Smashers in the country's first-ever professional volleyball tournament.
Before getting there, though, the Crossovers had to drive through the just as determined Flying Titans who actually got Game 1 before being at the wrong end of a domination in Game 2.
It was still all Chery Tiggo in the do-or-die game as it raced to a first frame win before meeting a Caitlyn Viray-sized roadblock in the next. On the Santiago sisters' shoulders, however, they battled back from as much as four points down to claim a 2-0 set edge.
Come Set 3, it was Choco Mucho's turn to come-from behind, ringing off seven unanswered points to turn an 11-15 deficit into an, all of a sudden, 18-15 advantage.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat didn't quit, however, and pounded in three points to fuel her side into retaking a 23-21 lead. Kat Tolentino answered in the same manner for the Flying Titans and tied the tally at 23-all before Crossovers coach Aaron Velez called for time.
Following that much-welcome break, Mylene Paat's kill coupled with a Choco Mucho error wrapped up Chery Tiggo's semifinals conquest.
Game 1 of the Finals between Creamline and Chery Tiggo, the top two teams at the end of eliminations, is on Wednesday, still to be played in Bacarra and still to be aired on One Sports.