LIPA City – F2 Logistics emerged as the inaugural winner of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League following a 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 victory over Chery Tiggo on Thursday (Nov. 25) at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.
The Cargo Movers won over the Crossovers without dropping a set for a perfect 5-0 won-lost card.
Chery Tiggo, missing the services of Jaja Santiago who is currently playing in the Japan V. League, failed to follow up its Premier Volleyball League Open Conference championship run and settled for the silver medal.
Kalei Mau came through with 16 kills, 19 receptions, and nine digs. Iris Tolenada, acquired by F2 Logistics only last month with first-choice setter Kim Fajardo still recovering from injury, tossed 17 excellent sets to go with four service aces and a block.
Earlier on Thursday, PetroGazz rebounded from its stunning loss to a team of high schoolers by beating Tuguegarao-Perlas Spikers, 25-11, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20, to secure the bronze medal.
The Cargo Movers’ net defense was rock-solid in the one-hour and 29-minute match with their nine blocks—three each from Majoy Baron and Kim Kianna Dy.
The most consistent player of the tournament, Dy was named the Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite Hitter to lead F2 Logistics’ “Dream Team” awardees in the week-long tournament.
Aby Maraño bagged the First Best Middle Blocker honors, Tolenada took the Best Setter plum and Dawn Macandili was the competition’s Best Libero.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus was delighted with the victory despite their short preparation.
“I am very happy because it’s a first ever national volleyball tournament title,” De Jesus said. “It feels so good.”
Playing for the first time since March 2020, the Cargo Movers hardly missed a beat, displaying the form that made them one of the most successful clubs in the country.
“The players are crying because this is the first time they played as a team after two years due to pandemic,” De Jesus said. “The advantage is that they have been together for a long time. Some of them also played in Thailand as part of the Philippine team.”
Dindin Santiago-Manabat had 17 points for the Crossovers while Mylene Paat added 14 points and eight digs.
Manabat and Maika Ortiz were named the Second Best Outside Hitter and Second Best Middle Blocker, respectively.
PetroGazz’s Ces Molina completes the “Dream Team” by capturing the First Best Outside Hitter award. (PNVF) -bny
