Eya Laure stars as Chery Tiggo hands Petro Gazz first PVL conference loss
MANILA, Philippines – The Chery Tiggo Crossovers stamped their class as one of the teams to watch in the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference after gutting out a close four-setter to hand the Petro Gazz Angels their first loss, 25-15, 27-25, 18-25, 25-23, at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, November 4.
Super rookie Eya Laure had one of her best games yet as a pro, tallying a conference-best 21 points on 15 attacks, 4 aces, and 2 blocks as Chery Tiggo creates a second-place logjam at 4-1 alongside Petro Gazz and PLDT.
Unfazed by a blowout third set, the Crossovers zoomed out to a quick 4-1 start in the fourth before peaking with a 15-9 separation off a Cza Carandang quick hit. The veteran Angels, however, stormed back within two, 16-18, off a pivotal 7-3 run.
Just as Chery Tiggo thought it was safe after rallying to match point, 24-21, from a tight 20-19 lead, Petro Gazz made one last push off a Ranya Musa block and Rem Palma running hit to get within one, 23-24, and threaten an extended endgame.
Setter Jasmine Nabor, however, took matters into her own hands in the end, catching the Angels off guard with a kill spike in a 1-2 play to abruptly seal the deal in the Crossovers’ favor.
Adorador, making the most of an extended run as a starter, backstopped Laure in the win with 14 points, while Pauline Gaston and bench sparkplug Cess Robles scored 10 apiece.
Former league MVP Mylene Paat also made her conference debut after a minor injury, finishing with 2 points in spot minutes off the bench.
Four Petro Gazz players breached double-digit scoring in the loss, with Grethcel Soltones and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas leading with 14 points apiece. – Rappler.com