MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) The Chery Tiggo Crossovers pounced on F2 Logistics' manpower problems in a straight sets victory on Tuesday to open their campaign in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.

The Crossovers overhauled a late deficit in the first set en route to a 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 triumph at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Mylene Paat had 16 points, all on hits, while EJ Laure added 11 points and Jasmine Nabor tossed 13 excellent sets in a Player of the Match performance. The Crossovers got 26 points off the Cargo Movers' unforced errors.

F2 Logistics were playing with a short-handed roster, as they were without American import Lindsay Stalzer (health and safety protocols) and Dawn Macandili (undisclosed injury). Veterans Aby Maraño and Ara Galang played as liberos in the match.

• READ: F2's Stalzer in health protocols, to miss game vs. Chery

"We're taking it na parang advantage, kasi hindi sila 'yung original na position 'yung nilalaro nila," said Chery Tiggo coach Clarence Esteban. "Malaking factor din 'yun. Credit sa kanila kasi nag-perform pa rin ng maganda 'yung mga libero nila, kahit na hindi nila position."

"Yun nga lang, siyempre 'yung mastery ng positioning, medyo nawala sa kanila 'yun," he added.

Chery Tiggo grabbed the momentum after recovering from an 18-23 deficit in the opener to snatch the win, with Laure drilling three straight points to complete their comeback.

They led comfortably in the second set, going up 15-6 after an attack error by F2's comebacking open hitter Kalei Mau. A down-the-line hit by Chery Tiggo import Jelena Cvijovic put them at set point, 24-19, but back-to-back hits by Mau kept the Cargo Movers alive. Unfortunately for F2, middle blocker Lourdes Clemente was called for an illegal block in the next rally, gifting the Crossovers with a 2-0 lead.

In a see-saw third set, the Crossovers seized control via an 8-0 blast that saw F2 Logistics commit three errors. A combination play finished off by Paat put Chery Tiggo at match point, 24-19, but two hits by Mau plus an error by Paat kept F2 alive.

The Crossovers would not be denied, however, as a Paat hit proved too strong for F2 to return in the next rally. Chery Tiggo wrapped up the match in an hour and 33 minutes.

"Siyempre, trinabaho namin 'to eh, kaya feeling ko naman, deserve naman namin 'to," Laure said of their conference-opening win.

Cvijovic, in her debut for Chery Tiggo, had six points, seven digs, and 10 excellent receptions.

Mau was the lone player in double-digits for F2 Logistics, marking her PVL debut with 20 points on 17 kills and three service aces. Kianna Dy had nine points. Ivy Lacsina, F2's marquee signing in the offseason, had seven points including a kill block.

Galang recorded six successful receptions for F2.

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