PVL: Chery Tiggo spoils Capital1 debut in sweep win

Ara Galang and Aby Maraño made sure their first PVL game in a Chery Tiggo uniform was one for the books as they steered the Crossovers to a 25-6, 25-15, 25-15 sweep of debuting Capital1 in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.

Galang tallied 12 points anchored on nine attacks, two aces, and one block as the Crossovers went 1-0 while the Roger Gorayeb-helmed Capital1 squad dropped to 0-1.

After dominating the first two sets, the Crossovers had to shut down the early momentum of the Solar Spikers in the third frame with Janine Navarro giving the new team a taste of the lead at 7-6.

But Chery Tiggo retaliated with a huge 14-3 blitz capped by back-to-back attacks from Galang, who was part of the disbanded F2 Logistics alongside Maraño.

Maraño then served up a strong ace to give Chery Tiggo the match point, 24-13, before Patty Orendain and Syd Niegos saved two for the Solar Spikers, 24-15. Shyra Umandal, however, halted their own run after a service error to give Chery Tiggo the straight sets victory.

Mylene Paat churned out 11 points while Maraño finished with six markers after playing in just two sets.

Navarro paced Capital1 with six points while former JRU standout Niegos and veteran Orendain each chimed in with five markers.

Chery Tiggo takes on another newcomer on Saturday when it clashes with Strong Group Athletics while Capital1 collides with Farm Fresh next Thursday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News