Chery Tiggo clips Akari in 5 sets

Chery Tiggo banked on its gritty defense and composure down the stretch to repulse Akari in a 24-26, 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10 nailbiter for back-to-back wins in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Sunday at the Ynares Center-Montalban in Rizal.

Ces Robles took charge of the offense but it was the duo of Imee Hernandez and rookie Jyne Soreno who delivered the clutch hits in the deciding frame as the Crossovers finished their opening weekend in Pool B on a high note.

“Very happy of course, two games, two wins. If yesterday’s win (against Capital1) was a confidence booster, all the more is this one. This is a huge win for us,” Chery Tiggo head coach Noman Miguel said.

Robles dropped 23 points off 21 kills and two kill blocks while adding 15 digs and 10 excellent receptions in a superb outing for the Crossovers.

Renee Penafiel, the 26th overall pick in the recent Draft, scored nine of her 12 points on attacks while eighth overall pick Soreno finished with nine points including a kill and an ace to seal the deal in the two-hour, 34-minute encounter.

Hernandez, back after almost two years of being sidelined by a knee injury, scored three crucial points in the fifth set to end her day with eight points.

The Crossovers broke a 6-6 deadlock in the final frame with a 7-3 run, including three points off the Chargers’ errors, to take a 13-9 lead.

Ced Domingo saved a point before Soreno made the finishing touches.

Chery Tiggo gave Akari a scare in the fourth set when it clawed back from 18-23 down after a 4-0 counter to close in within one point. Camille Victoria stopped Akari’s bleeding as it reached setpoint but Penafiel saved one point for the Crossovers.

Soltones sealed the set with a smash to force their second straight five-setter.

Akari dropped to a 1-3 slate despite Ivy Lacsina’s 18-point effort.

Eli Soyud had 17 points while Domingo added 12 in a lost cause.