Eya Laure and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers stayed within reach of a bronze medal after defeating the Petro Gazz Angels in Game 2 of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference battle-for-third series.
Chery Tiggo staged an epic comeback, repulsing the Brooke Van Sickle-led Petro Gazz in five thrilling sets, 16-25, 11-25, 25-13, 25-22, 18-16, in Game 2 of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference battle-for-third series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Eya Laure poured 26 points built on 24 attacks and two blocks, to go along with 12 digs and 11 receptions for the Crossovers, who stayed within reach of a podium finish and kept their bronze hopes alive.
However, the outcome now hinges on the title showdown between the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the nightcap.
If Creamline completes its championship defense in Game 2, the bronze would fall at the hands of Petro Gazz due to superior points ratio. But if Choco Mucho lives to fight another day, the battle-for-third series would also extend to a Game 3.
Engaged in a deadlock at 20 in the pivotal fourth frame, Van Sickle and Jonah Sabete pushed Petro Gazz ahead by two, but the one-two punch then misfired in succession for another stalemate at 22. Seth Rodriguez and Mylene Paat then delivered clutch plays for Chery Tiggo to forge a decider.
Both teams figured in a seesaw battle in the fifth set before Sabete shattered a 12-all lock with a kill. MJ Phillips then buoyed the Angels at match point with a quick hit off a freebie, but the Crossovers refused to give way, leaning on Jasmine Nabor to tie things up at 14.
After a quick trade of blows, Laure came through in the end, rattling off consecutive hits to seal the deal.
Paat and Rodriguez made their presence felt above the net as the two netted three and six blocks, finishing with 15 and eight points, respectively.
Nabor, who scored thrice in the two-to-win situation in the rubber set, churned out nine points, on top of 11 excellent sets.
On the other hand, the Angels could not capitalize on their 2-0 set lead, falling in the last three sets, despite the 30-point explosion of Van Sickle.
Van Sickle, who was coming off a career-high 36 points in the series opener, scattered 24 attacks, five aces, and a block that went for naught. She also had 12 digs and eight receptions in the losing cause.
Sabete had a near double-double of 18 points and eight receptions, while Phillips and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas managed 10 markers apiece.