By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Chery Tiggo stayed extra hot and crushed Cignal HD, 25-16, 25-13, 25-19, to seize the early solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PVC Socio-Civic & Cultural Center Monday in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Arriane Layug made her presence felt by pumping in 15 points built on 11 kills, three aces and one block to spearhead the Crossovers to back-to-back victories.
The win was a fitting sequel to Chery Tiggo’s 25-20, 25-17, 25-6 thumping of PLDT Home Fibre in Saturday’s opener.
Skipper Jaja Santiago also sizzled with 15 points including 11 attacks and three aces while sister Dindin Santiago Manabat chipped in seven points.
The Crossovers dominated the HD Spikers on all fronts particularly in the service area, where they fired 11 aces. They also outplayed Cignal on attacks, 42-24.
Janine Marciano became the lone double-digit scorer for Cignal with 12 points as it fell short to debuting in the league with a bang.
Rachel Anne Daquis had six points for the HD Spikers.
Meantime, Sta Lucia bounced back from an opening day loss as it routed PLDT Home Fibr, 25-18, 25-19, 25-21.
The Lady Realtors exploited the Power Hitters’ lackluster defense with Aiza Pontillas, Dell Palomata and Mika Reyes combining for 28 kills for the team’s first victory in two starts.
Palomata and Reyes finished with 12 and 11 points, while Pontillas added 10.
MJ Phillips took charge of Sta Lucia’s defense by posting five of the team’s 10 blocks to finish with 14 points.
“Actually lahat, maayos yung game. Yung buong team maayos naman yung nilaro pati yung mga nasa labas nag-trabaho rin sila,” said Sta Lucia coach Eddieson Orcullo.
Match was delayed for the second time due to heavy rains that caused slippery spots on the competition area despite repairs from the leaky roof that also caused Sunday’s match between PetroGazz and Black Mamba Army to be delayed for hours.
But the delay didn’t dampen the fighting spirits of Sta Lucia, which was coming off a 25-18, 25-20, 25-27, 25-18 defeat to Creamline last Saturday.
PLDT absorbed its second straight defeat with Isa Molde managing 11 points. CJ Soyud and Jorelle Singh had nine apiece.
