Games Monday
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Kobe Shinwa
6:30 p.m. – Cignal vs ZUS Coffee
Coming off a demoralizing straight-sets loss to PLDT, Chery Tiggo stormed back into contention with a statement win – toppling powerhouse Creamline in a five-set thriller, 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15 – in front of a roaring weekend crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
It was a display of not just skill, but unrelenting grit, mental toughness, and physical stamina from a team many counted out after a rough start to its PVL Invitational campaign.
Against a squad as decorated and battle-tested as the Cool Smashers, the Crossovers leaned into the very qualities Creamline is known for – enduring strength, composure, and late-set poise under pressure. In a showdown that tested physical limits and mental resolve, it was Chery Tiggo that rose to the occasion, fighting back from a 1-2 set deficit and erasing a 2-6 hole in the decisive fifth set to complete a gutsy turnaround in two hours and 25 minutes.
“Very grateful and happy at talagang nilaban namin. Yung last game namin, hindi kami ‘yun – kaya kailangan naming bumawi,” said rookie Renee Peñafiel, who delivered a stellar performance and was named Best Player of the Game.
A former UST reserve, Peñafiel exploded for 18 points, including three aces and three blocks – the most crucial coming at 15-all in the fifth, when she snuffed out a Michele Gumabao attack at the net to give the Crossovers match point.
Though Gumabao would momentarily save it with a hit, her next serve sailed out, sealing Creamline’s fate.
“Pagod na talaga kami pero nilaban namin hanggang dulo, kasi sayang lang yung pagod kung ‘di namin ilalaban,” added Peñafiel, a fitting reflection of the team’s never-say-die mentality.
It was a dramatic shift from the Crossovers’ tournament-opening loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters, where they looked like a shadow of the contender that figured in the PVL On Tour finale. But when it mattered most, they dug deep – not just into their playbook, but into their emotional reserves – to stay in the title race.
Creamline, long considered the league’s gold standard in closing out matches, crumbled under pressure in the final stretch. Uncharacteristic errors – including one that clinched the victory for Chery Tiggo, hastened their downfall.
The Cool Smashers’ experience should’ve been the X-factor in the tense fifth set, but instead, it was the Crossovers’ sheer determination and relentless spirit that proved decisive.
Coach Norman Miguel’s timely substitutions also paid off, with rookies Jyne Soreno and reliever Pauline Gaston coming off the bench to steady the ship and contribute key points during the final stretch.
With the win, Chery Tiggo improved to 2-1, trailing only the unbeaten High Speed Hitters (3-0), and keeping alive hopes for a blockbuster title rematch.
Meanwhile, Creamline slipped to 1-2 and will need to regroup quickly to avoid an early exit from title contention.
Ara Galang spearheaded Chery Tiggo’s offensive charge with 20 points, setting the tone early and keeping the Cool Smashers on their heels throughout. But when it mattered most, she gracefully ceded the spotlight to Peñafiel.
Cess Robles also turned in a solid all-around performance, finishing with 16 points while anchoring the Crossovers’ floor defense with 10 excellent digs and 10 receptions, showcasing her trademark all-around performance and consistency.
Pauline Gaston provided a spark off the bench, contributing 10 crucial points and steadying the team during the pressure-packed final stretch. Middle blocker Cza Carandang chipped in five markers, making her presence felt with timely quick attacks that helped disrupt Creamline’s net defense.
It was a tough loss for Creamline, which had just pulled off a gritty comeback against Cignal last Thursday, rallying from a 1-2 set deficit. Poised for a strong rebound after dropping the opening frame, the Cool Smashers looked ready to turn the tide – but came out flat in the fourth set and faltered under the weight of Chery Tiggo’s searing late-set surge in the decider.
Jema Galanza led the Cool Smashers with 23 points, while Michele Gumabao and Alyssa Valdez added 21 and 17 points, respectively – outputs that would typically be more than enough to carry Creamline to victory.
But in a match where composure and execution in the clutch made all the difference, the Cool Smashers simply couldn’t hold off the Crossovers’ relentless push.
Chery Tiggo shook off a tough setback in the pivotal third set and came out with renewed fire in Set 4, showcasing its resolve to extend the match. After a tight 7-all count, the Crossovers unleashed a momentum-shifting three-point blitz that gave them control. From there, they never looked back.
With their offense finally finding its rhythm, Gaston delivered a series of well-timed quick attacks that punctured Creamline’s defense, while Peñafiel and the rest played with urgency and cohesion.
The Cool Smashers, on the other hand, began to falter, their usually sharp execution giving way to a string of uncharacteristic errors. Capitalizing on every miscue, the Crossovers pulled away to a commanding 20-12 lead, highlighted by a hit from Penafiel.
Though Creamline showed signs of life late in the set – narrowing the gap to 17-22 behind Mich Gamit’s back-to-back aces – her momentum was cut short by a costly service error. From there, Chery Tiggo hung tough, tightening its floor defense and letting Creamline unravel with consecutive miscues, enabling the Crossovers to force a deciding set.
