The Chery Tiggo Crossovers inch one step closer to the conference quarterfinals after a dominant showing to open the PVL play-in rounds.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers opened the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference play-in rounds on a triumphant note as they swept the Nxled Chameleons 25-22, 26-24, 25-12 on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
For veteran spiker Cess Robles, it’s a matter of adopting a do-or-die mentality for the Crossovers, given that the play-in will serve as their last chance to enter the best-of-three quarterfinals.
“Sakin, wala nang doubt kasi ito na ‘yun eh, kailangan lang namin gawin ‘yung trabaho namin para makuha namin ‘yung goal namin,” Robles said after finishing with 15 points, 11 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions against Nxled.
Chery Tiggo entered Thursday’s game on a four-game losing skid dating back to last January 30 against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles. But despite this tough stretch, the Crossovers stuck together, resulting in Thursday’s breakthrough win against the Chameleons.
“Mahalaga naman na nakita ko sa team na kahit down kami, hindi kami nagwawatak watak eh. Kahit ‘yung mga players dahil syempre, mas kami ‘yung nagsasama sa loob ng court, mas nakikita namin ‘yung everyday na struggle and alam namin na malalampasan namin siya with each other na magkakasama,” said Adorador, who chipped in 14 points and 11 excellent digs on Thursday.
But more than their deep bond, Adorador shared how Chery Tiggo took their losses as a challenge to resolve their lapses, especially after getting sent to the play-in by the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last March 1.
“‘Yung last game na nangyari, maganda ‘yung pinakita namin sabi ng mga coaches. Hindi lang kami nakatapos nang maganda dahil wala kaming panapos sa latter part and ‘yun ‘yung naging problema namin which is sana malutas na siya…Coming into the game, nakita naman namin na wino-work [on siya],” the former UE stalwart said.
Robles shared similar thoughts, acknowledging how she and the team had their fair share of lapses during the losing skid. Along with resolving these issues, she said, was the need to rebuild their lost confidence caused by their slump.
“Napag-usapan na rin namin ito kasi pag natalo kami, parang bumababa nga ‘yung confidence namin and ‘yun ‘yung wino-work namin everyday sa training. Kaming lahat pursigido talaga na kailangan bumalik ‘yung kumpyansa namin kasi alam namin na hindi kami ‘yun eh,” Robles said.
Chery Tiggo will now attempt to secure their quarterfinal ticket against the Farm Fresh Foxies this March 11, which comes with renewed confidence after Thursday’s win.
Through their dominant showing against Nxled, both Robles and Adorador are confident that the Crossovers have also regained their killer instinct on top of rebuilding their confidence.
“Mindset namin talagang killer instinct pa din, sana madala namin into Farm Fresh na game, and talagang teamwork pa din. Makinig lang sa coaches and talagang pag nauna na, kailangan pukpukan talaga kasi hindi na nga po biro itong mga games na ito, so all-out na po,” said Adorador.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.