Cargo Movers complete unblemished run

LIPA CITY, Philippines — F2 Logistics capped off a perfect title run in the inaugural PNVF Champions League with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 win over Chery Tiggo last night at the Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym here.

The Cargo Movers ran through the six-team competition without dropping a single set for a roaring return in Philippine volleyball after a hiatus of almost two years.

Kalei Mau fired 16 markers with Majoy Baron (9), Aby Maraño (8) and Kim Kianna Dy (6) throwing in solid help as the decorated Cargo Movers added another feather on their cap.

“We did not expect this given a short preparation time but our familiarity and chemistry spelled the difference. That worked as our advantage,” said coach Ramil de Jesus, whose wards last played in March 2020.

Dy was hailed as the first PNVF Champions League Most Valuable Player with her consistent performance in the five-day, single-round robin tilt. She also gained Best Opposite Spiker citation.

Iris Tolenada (Best Setter), Dawn Macandili (Best Libero) and Maraño (First Best Middle Blocker) also captured individual awards for F2.

Petro Gazz’s Ces Molina (First Best Outside Hitter), Chery Tiggo’s Dindin Santiago-Manabat (Second Best Outside Hitter) and Maika Ortiz (Second Best Middle Blocker) were the other awardees.

Santiago-Manabat’s 17 points went for naught for the Crossovers, who fell short in their bid for a second straight title after ruling the first pro season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in Ilocos Norte this year.

Earlier, Petro Gazz topped Tuguegarao Perlas, 25-11, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20, for third-place honors.

Ria Meneses (19), Ces Molina (14), Grethcel Soltones (11) and Jessey de Leon (10) connived in a balanced attack for the Angels (2-3), who claimed their second bronze medal this year after also finishing third in the PVL.

Tuguegarao Perlas settled for fourth place with a 2-3 slate while CPS (2-3) and Baguio (0-5) wound up at fifth and sixth, respectively.

Note: The Champions League is backed by Rebisco, Pitmaster Foundation Inc., Top Speed, 1Pacman Partylist, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee as platinum sponsors and F2 Logistics, Asics, PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation and Mikasa as gold sponsors; BCDA, Philippine Red Cross, Lipa City, Davis Paint and Emerald PVC Pipes, Fittings and Doors as silver sponsors with PNVF godfather, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, giving his full support.