Army averts third set collapse, eliminates Chery Tiggo in sweep win

Army Black Mamba averted a third-set collapse to complete a sweep and eliminate Chery Tiggo from contention, 25-20, 25-23, 25-22, in the 2022 PVL Invitational Conference on Tuesday in San Juan.

Army improved to 3-2 and are on the verge of a semifinals berth while Chery Tiggo bowed out of contention with a 1-4 card.

The veteran-laden Army squad led by seven in the final frame 22-14, before the Crossovers ignited for a furious 5-0 spurt capped by a Cza Carandang block on Mary Jean Balse to cut their deficit to three, 19-22.

Army's setter Ivy Perez then won a joust against Shaya Adorador to bring them to the match point, 24-19. A string of errors from the Lady Troopers, though, gave the Crossovers some breathing room as the wards of head coach Aying Esteban went to within two, 22-24.

Grizzled spiker Joanne Bunag then put the punctuation as she clinched the game-winning point.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, who led the offense in the first two sets, poured a team-high 15 points to go along with 18 digs and seven excellent receptions while Balse chipped in six markers in the win.

—JMB, GMA News