Chery Tiggo endured a grueling four-set battle against a resilient Farm Fresh Foxies squad, clinching a 29-27, 15-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory to advance to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday, March 11.

The Crossovers needed two hours and seven minutes to overcome the Foxies’ relentless challenge, relying on their experience and composure in crunch time to book a best-of-three quarterfinal series against defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers.

Despite the hard-fought win, veteran hitter Ara Galang remained focused on the bigger goal.

“We’re happy to have reached the quarterfinals, but it doesn’t end here. We still have to keep working harder to achieve more wins,” said Galang, who led Chery Tiggo with 20 points and earned Best Player of the Game honors.

Crossovers Show Grit and Poise

The Crossovers bounced back from a lopsided second-set defeat, showing resilience in the final two frames to fend off multiple Farm Fresh uprisings.

“Our mindset was clear – we couldn’t afford to lose,” Galang added. “Even after we dropped the second set, we knew we still had a chance, and we just needed to stay composed. Thankfully, we got it done.”

Chery Tiggo’s win wasn’t easy. The Foxies put up a fight in the fourth set, taking a 12-14 lead behind Lorene Toring and Louie Romero’s well-executed plays. However, Chery Tiggo responded with key defensive stops, including a crucial rejection from Aby Maraño to reclaim the lead.

Farm Fresh kept the set close, forcing two deadlocks, but a momentum-swinging three-point run, capped by Galang’s block on Rachel Daquis, put the Crossovers in control.

The Foxies attempted another rally, pulling within 18-19 after a Cess Robles attack error, but Robles quickly atoned with a crosscourt kill and an ace, followed by Seth Rodriguez’s quick attack to extend the lead.

From there, Shaya Adorador took over, forcing a block touch to bring Chery Tiggo to match point, before sealing the win with an off-the-block kill against Trisha Tubu.

Key Performances and Match Stats

Adorador delivered an 18-point explosion, while Robles contributed 13 markers. Rodriguez and Maraño made their presence felt at the net, finishing with seven and five points, respectively.

The match stats reflected the intensity of the duel, with both teams tied in attack points at 61. However, Chery Tiggo’s superior net defense (10 blocks vs. 5) and clutch execution proved to be the difference.

Farm Fresh had the edge in service aces (6-4) and committed fewer unforced errors (19-23), but they struggled in crucial moments.

Farm Fresh standout Mary Tubu erupted for 22 points, while Toring, Rizza Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz chipped in 12 points each. Romero outperformed her counterpart Alina Bicar in excellent sets (25-17), but Bicar’s decision-making under pressure gave Chery Tiggo the edge.

Looking Ahead: Chery Tiggo vs. Creamline

With the quarterfinals set, Chery Tiggo faces a tougher challenge against Creamline, a team known for its deep lineup and dominant frontline. Galang emphasized the need for better chemistry and offensive firepower to match up with the defending champions.

“We need to jell more and polish our game,” she said.

With momentum on their side, the Crossovers will look to carry their fighting spirit into the next round as they battle the league’s reigning powerhouse.