4 days ago
Chery Tiggo fends off late Cignal rally to clinch PVL On Tour finals berth
Chery Tiggo held off a late rampage from Cignal to complete a 25-17, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23 win during their semifinals bout in the 2025 PVL On Tour on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win allowed the Crossovers to return to the finals round for the first time since 2021, when they ruled the Open Conference to emerge as the first-ever titleholder since the league turned professional.
?Chery Tiggo now awaits the winner between Creamline and PLDT.
Cess Robles and Ara Galang were at the forefront of offense for the Norman Miguel-helmed crew with both players posting 15 points with the former NU standout grabbing 11 digs and 11 receptions for a triple-double outing.
Imee Hernandez chipped in 12 points highlighted by four blocks while rookie Renee Peñafiel chipped in 10 markers to help Chery Tiggo return to a finals stage for the first time after four years.
But the Crossovers faced a few bumps along the way.
Already enjoying a 16-10 lead in Set 4, Chery Tiggo had to weather a desperate rally from the HD Spikers, who leaned on Heather Guino-o and rookie Jessa Ordiales to unleash a 5-1 run.
But Chery Tiggo responded with a 5-1 run of its own capped by an attack error from Guino-o to create a 22-16 separation.
Guino-o then atoned for that mishap, hammering one from the left wing before serving an ace to help Erika Santos lead a 4-1 response as they pulled within one point, 22-23.
Hernandez, though, completed a quick kill before Santos retaliated with another solid kill from the opposite side for a 23-24 deficit. But Galang finished what she started, swinging from the right side to seal the deal.
"Nakaka-proud 'yung buong team, 'yung players namin, 'yung mga kasama ko sa coaching staff, tapos 'yung mga PT. Masaya kasi hindi naman talaga madali 'yung pinagdadaanan namin, especially these past few days," Miguel said.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
