Chery on top

Jaja, Crossovers rally to PVL plum

BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — Sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat took charge as Chery Tiggo rose from the dead to beat Creamline, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8, and crown itself the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference champion at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center here yesterday.

Manabat carried the load in the third and fourth sets then Santiago took over in the fifth set with clutch hitting and blocking as the Crossovers stole the match and the best-of-three series at 2-1.

Chery Tiggo, which took out Choco Mucho, also at 2-1, in the semifinals, thus became the first champion of the PVL as a pro league.

It was a heartbreaker for the Cool Smashers who were leading two sets to none and 13-7 in the fourth set before fading away in the face of a fierce Chery Tiggo fightback.

At two sets apiece, Santiago completely took over the game, powering the Crossovers to a 7-1 start and all the way to the sweet championship.

Manabat fired a match-high 32 points including 30 on kills while Santiago scattered 26 hits she laced with 22 spikes and four blocks.

Santiago, who also sparkled with 25 points in their 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-21 win in Game Two, stood tallest in the end with the Finals MVP award.

Santiago’s final feat was the icing on the cake as she was also named the conference MVP.

“I want to share all these awards to everyone in the team,” said the 25-year-old Santiago, who’s obviously got better after her stint in the Japan league.

Other awardees included Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Petro Gazz’s Myla Pablo (Best Spikers), Santiago and Petro Gazz’s Ria Meneses (Best Middle Blockers), Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino (Best Opposite Spiker), Creamline’s Jia Morado (Best Setter) and Petro Gazz’s Kat Arado (Best Libero).

It looked like Creamline was all set to wrap up the crown when it took the first two sets.

For the record, the Cool Smashers, who won the opener, 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7, Wednesday, had never lost a five-setter.

But Chery Tiggo kept its poise and unleashed the comeback of their lives.