PVL: Cloanne Mondoñedo, ZUS Coffee deny Chery Tiggo outright QF ticket
The 24-year-old playmaker tallied 36 excellent sets to go with two points as the Thunderbelles ended the preliminary round with a 3-2 card while the Crossovers fell to an identical card.
ZUS' win also allowed Creamline (3-2) to book an automatic quarterfinal berth due to the Cool Smashers holding superior points.
"We are happy na gano'n na, na resilient pero it also shows consistency so at least alam namin kung ano 'yung kailangan naming i-work on," ZUS head coach Jerry Yee said.
"Marami pa [ang kailangang ayusin]. Ita-try pa natin na ipin-point 'yung mga gano'n pero at least we got the win and ayun na nga, lumalaban 'yung team kahit 'yung second unit."
Chery Tiggo had an early 13-12 lead in the fourth set with Cess Robles attacking from the opposite side. But ZUS unleashed a telling 6-0 rampage highlighted by two blocks that allowed them to take an 18-13 cushion.
That flipped the script for the rest of the set with rookie middle blocker AC Miner providing the spark on her decisive running kills, one of which sent the Thunderbelles to set point, 24-19. An attack error from Chery Tiggo enabled ZUS to force a decider.
Chinnie Arroyo came alive in the final frame, unloading back-to-back hits for a 5-1 lead before a pair of attack errors from Chery Tiggo sent the other camp to a crucial 9-3 advantage.
Chery Tiggo tried to rally behind Aby Maraño and Robles, whose hammer from the left side cut the deficit to five, 6-11. But ZUS responded with a 4-0 closing run ended by a combination play from Jovelyn Gonzaga off a perfect setup from Mondoñedo.
Miner shone with 19 points anchored on 15 attacks and four blocks while Kate Santiago and Arroyo chipped in 13 and 11 markers with the former also posting 12 digs.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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