By John Bryan Ulanday
GAMES TODAY
(Aquamarine Recreational
Center Gym, Lipa, Batangas)
1:30 p.m. – Baguio Lady Highlanders vs. California Precision Sports
4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs. Tuguegarao Perlas
CHERY Tiggo hacked out a gutsy straight-set victory over California Precision Sports (CPS), 25-22, 27-25, 25-23, for a quick bounce back win in the inaugural Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League at the Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym here.
Up against the same young squad that made life difficult for powerhouse F2 Logistics, the reigning Premier Volleyball League (PVL) queen flaunted its championship pedigree led by Mylene Paat to fend off a heavy CPS resistance.
Ms. Paat scattered 17 markers on 16 kills and Mary Joy Dacoron held her ground in the middle with eight points as the Jaja Santiago-less Crossovers overcame a 22-24 deficit in the second set en route to their second win in three outings.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat saw limited action but still finished with seven markers in Chery Tiggo’s rebound after a stinging 25-22, 20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 11-15 loss to Petro Gazz the other day.
“We have to be mindful in our role and our accountability. It’s really more of our mindset now to just keep on playing better every match,” said coach Aaron Velez, who also credited the gallant stand of the Antipolo-based CPS with an average age of only 16 years.
Meanwhile, Tuguegarao Perlas notched its second straight win at the expense of another young squad in the Baguio Lady Highlanders, 25-10, 25-5, 25-14.
Jho Maraguinot tallied 10 markers for the Perlas Spikers, who climbed up to 2-1 after drubbing CPS. Their only loss so far came against Chery Tiggo in the opener.
CPS and Baguio remained winless with 0-3 cards, setting up a crucial clash today for breakthrough victory.
Unbeaten F2 Logistics (2-0) and Petro Gazz (2-0) were to clash last night with the winner gaining an inside track for the first title of the Champions League under a short single-round robin format.