BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE – Jaja Santiago saw a more confident Chery Tiggo in its huge bounce-back win against Creamline in Game Two of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference finals at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
Coming off a painful five-set loss in the opening match of the best-of-three series, the Crossovers looked more at ease on Thursday night against the Cool Smashers.
Chery Tiggo dominantly took the first set in Game Two but bowed down in the second set to Creamline. Then, the team regained composure in the next two sets, beating the Rebisco-backed squad in four sets, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-21 to send the game to a winner-take-all Game Three.
“Nakita ko how confident yung mga teammates ko sa lahat ng ginagawa nila. Kahit ako nakikita ko yung fire na lumalabas sa puso nila na gagawin ko to di ako matatakot. Yung blockings gumana rin kanina,” said Santiago moments after the win
“God is really amazing. Kami kasi sabi ko basta sama sama lang talaga kami sa lahat ng gagawin namin. Stay connected kami lahat very possible kaya naming gawin,” added Santiago, who is gunning for her first domestic title since 2016.
“Ito na yun bukas lalaban kami at kukuhanin namin kung ano yung goal namin which is yung championship title.”
The 6-foot-5 Japan V.Cup champion – who vowed to kill every ball that went her way – matched her Game One output, firing a game-high 25 points off 20 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to lift Chery Tiggo to the Game Three showdown.
“Sa akin kahit anong ibigay ng setter ko, kahit mababa, mataas iaadjust ko ‘to. Ang volleyball naman hindi iisang tao lang kailangan niayn marunong ka magadjust, kumbaga kung nabitawan mo na sa’yo na yun,” said the 25-year-old pride of Tanza, Cavite.
“So lahat ng ibibigay sa akin ng teammates ko at setter ko papaluin ko papatayin ko para sa kanila.”
With everything coming down to just one game, Santiago made one last promise to her teammates and fans.
“We will give our very, very best to win this game.”
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