The Chery Tiggo Crossovers managed to squeak past the Capital1 Solar Spikers in their 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference opener, giving coach Norman Miguel his first win in the PVL.
Chery Tiggo gave new head coach Norman Miguel a winning start in his PVL coaching debut after outlasting Capital1 in five sets, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11, in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Despite losing some of their stars during the offseason, most notably Eya Laure, the Crossovers found a way to get past the gritty Solar Spikers.
In the fifth set, Chery Tiggo gained the upper hand early behind Mary Rhose Dapol and Ara Galang, leading by as many as three points at 7-4.
Capital1, however, continued to fight its way back into the game, tying the score at 9-9 after an off-speed hit by Heather Guino-o.
But Galang and team captain Aby Maraño would show their experience to push the Crossovers’ lead back to three points at 12-9.
And while the Solar Spikers would try to make one last rally to steal the game, Dapol pushed her squad to match point after a cross-court hit, before Galang sealed the win with a sharp service ace.
Galang finished with 23 points, built on 18 attacks, four blocks, and one service ace.
Chery Tiggo will have an eight-day break before facing Cignal next on Nov. 21 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Capital1 will look to avenge its five-set defeat against Choco Mucho also on the same day.