A hard-fought semifinals matchups were played for the PVL on Tour at the Big Dome in Araneta Coliseum last night, August 12.
4 Year Finals Absence Broken for the Crossovers After 4-Sets
Knowing that this is a knockout semi-game between the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Cignal HD Spikers, both squads are willing to give everything they have on the floor.
But for the Crossovers, they wish to put an end to their 4-year finals drought as they last won during the inaugural professional championship in 2021.
After a lopsided Set 2 loss, the Crossovers looked shaky in the third, but regained control through well-timed kills and disciplined blocking. Cignal pushed the defending champions to the limit, but Chery Tiggo’s defensive presence proved crucial.
The fourth set showcased Chery Tiggo’s poise. Riding the momentum from their third-set rally, the Crossovers built a 17-12 lead on a Robles down-the-line push and extended it to 22-16 after a Cignal attack error. The HD Spikers clawed back behind Erika Santos and Heather Guino-o, cutting the gap to 23-22.
Peñafiel’s crosscourt hit steadied Chery Tiggo, but Cignal responded again to close within one. Hernandez answered with a quick middle attack for match point at 24-22, and after Santos’ 26th point narrowed it to 24-23, Galang sealed the win with a decisive spike.
The Crossovers tally a 12-7 advantage in blocks despite trailing in attacks (56-59) and service aces (1-4).
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-17, Set 2: 25-16, Set 3: 25-21, Set 4: 25-23
Ara Galang’s consistent scoring earned her Best Player of the Game honors. Both Ara and Cess Robles powered the offense with 15 points each, while Imee Hernandez returned to form with 12. Rookie Renee Peñafiel chipped in 10 points, and fellow newcomer Erika Deloria delivered four clutch markers.
Meanwhile for the side of the HD Spikers, Santos’ explosive outing went unrewarded despite leading all scorers, supported by Ces Lalongisip’s 13 points, Roselyn Aquino’s seven, and six each from Guino-o and Jackie Acuña. Cignal showed resilience in multiple rallies but couldn’t complete the comeback.
PLDT Outlasts Title Favorites Creamline in 5-Set All Thanks to Savi Davidson
The 10-time PVL champions Creamline Cool Smashers find themselves playing against a star-studded team of the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
With almost everyone in the crowd supporting the ladies in pink and white, the High Speed Hitters went to their 4-headed beasts of: Kim Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Savi Davidson.
Creamline appeared to be in full control after taking a 2–1 set lead. The defending powerhouse leaned on the steady offense of Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez in Sets 2 and 3, finding their rhythm with well-timed blocks from Jeanette Panaga and a service game that repeatedly pressured PLDT’s first ball.
After narrowly dropping the opening frame, the Cool Smashers bounced back with a second set win and claimed the third with Galanza’s crosscourt kills and Gumabao’s quick transitions keeping the High Speed Hitters guessing.
The tide shifted dramatically in Set 4. With their unbeaten run under threat, PLDT’s attack patterns sharpened, and the team came out with renewed energy. Savi Davison, who had been steady through the first three sets, suddenly caught fire, hammering points from both wings while Kianna Dy provided key support at the opposite slot. The front line, anchored by Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes, tightened up on defense, closing off angles that Creamline had exploited earlier.
Setter Kim Fajardo’s ball distribution became unpredictable, mixing quick plays in the middle with high balls to the wings that stretched Creamline’s blockers. This variety forced defensive gaps, allowing PLDT to open a 6-point cushion midway through the set.
Creamline tried to rally, with Valdez and Galanza attempting to mount a late push, but unforced errors and PLDT’s aggressive net defense stopped their momentum. The High Speed Hitters finished the frame in dominant fashion, sending the match into a decider and swinging the momentum fully to their side.
After sitting out late in the fourth set, Davison came out firing in the decider, delivering three of PLDT’s first four points in an early 4–1 run. Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza trimmed the gap to 9–10, but Davison responded with back-to-back missiles and a crisp cut shot to restore a four-point cushion.
A Valdez error put PLDT on the hill at match point, 14–10. Michele Gumabao briefly delayed the celebration with a crosscourt kill, but Davison fittingly ended the night with a booming off-the-block strike, igniting a jubilant PLDT bench.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 27-25, Set 2: 25-22, Set 3: 25-19, Set 4: 25-16, Set 5: 15-10
Savannah Davison erupted for 34 points built on 30 attacks, two blocks, and two aces with just one shy of her career high, while also tallying nine excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, earning the Best Player of the game award.
Kianna Dy scored 14 points, Majoy Baron tallied nine markers with three key blocks, and both Mika Reyes and Jovie Prado added eight each. Veteran Kim Fajardo anchored the offense with 25 excellent sets and chipped in two points, while libero Kath Arado had 23 excellent receptions and 13 digs.
The loss marked the first time Creamline has missed the Finals since the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Galanza finished with 20 points, including three blocks, while Valdez recorded a triple-double of 18 points, 14 receptions, and 10 digs. Gumabao contributed 16 markers, and Jeanette Panaga added 11, six of them from blocks. Setter Kyle Negrito dished out 24 excellent sets, and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla had 13 receptions and 10 digs.
Up Next: Clash of Queens in the Finals and in 3rd Place
The Finals match between PLDT and Chery Tiggo is set on August 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena for the 6:30 PM match.
Creamline and Cignal will battle it out for the first game at 4:00 PM in order for a chance to win a bronze medal in the PVL on Tour stage.
