By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers took down another powerhouse team in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference as they defeated the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-20, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, April 16.
Eya Laure earned another Player of the Game honors as she finished with 12 points, built on nine attacks and three blocks, as the Crossovers extended their winning streak to five games.
The Crossovers also created a four-way tie for second spot with a 7-2 win-loss slate, along with the High Speed Hitters, the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers and the Petro Gazz Angels.
“Siguro kasi ang naging mindset namin sa larong ito is to win every point muna, huwag mamadaliin [ang bawat possession] and work as a team kasi iba ‘yung nagagawa kapag nagtatrabaho kayo lahat as a team and sama-sama,” Laure said.
The former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses star also credited their intense training to their giant-killing ways against talented teams like the Cool Smashers, the Angels, the High Speed Hitters, and the Cignal HD Spikers.
“I think nagsisimula ‘yan lahat sa training, sa program at sa system na ibinibigay ng coaches, sa recovery time na din kasi pukpukan sa training, so importante talaga ‘yung mag-collab at mag-communicate lahat para magawa ‘yung ganitong bagay,” Laure said.
For their part, the Angels bolstered their semifinal bid with a 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 straight-set stunner against the HD Spikers, which dropped to a 5-4 win-loss slate with the loss.
Djanel Cheng had an efficient ball distribution to end up with 12 excellent sets, earning her Player of the Game honors for the Angels.
“Siguro mas naging consistent kami this game, ‘yun ang naging factor sa panalo namin,” Cheng said.
“Malaking bagay din ‘yun. Nakapagpahinga kami ng ilang araw prior to this game,” she added.
Negrense Jonah Sabete continued her fine play this season for the Angels with 16 points, including 13 attacks, while Filipina-American rookie Brooke Van Sickle added 13 markers./ASC, WDJ