Yuni Batista Drops 41 in Chery Tiggo's Five-Set Marathon Win Over Capital1

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by Misha Cruz

Chery Tiggo import Yuni Batista (25) celebrates with teammates in their game against Capital1.
Chery Tiggo import Yuni Batista (25) celebrates with teammates in their game against Capital1. Photo: PVL Images.

Yuni Batista just reminded everyone why volleyball is the ultimate drama sport. 

The Chery Tiggo Crossovers refused to fold under pressure, pulling off a heart-pounding five-set win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 27-25, 23-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-13, in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

It was chaos in the best way possible, two hours and 25 minutes of intense rallies, big swings, and nerves of steel. And at the center of it all? The unstoppable Batista, who absolutely went off for a tournament-record 41 points, including the clutch match-winner that sent the Crossovers’ bench exploding in celebration.

The final rally was pure grit. With Chery Tiggo up 14-11, Capital1 clawed back to 13-14 after a rare Batista error. But instead of cracking, the Crossovers locked in. Jen Nierva came up with a huge dig, Alina Bicar set it perfectly, and Batista did what she does best — smashed the ball past the defense to seal the deal. Game over.

Chery Tiggo's Jen Nierva (9) and Alina Bicar (11).
Chery Tiggo's Jen Nierva (9) and Alina Bicar (11). Photo: PVL Images.

“I just tried to stay in the moment, point by point,” Batista said after the match, looking every bit the cool-headed queen she played like.

Her 43% attack rate wasn’t just impressive; it broke the PVL’s single-game scoring record, overtaking Sasha Bytsenko’s 38. Even Capital1’s own import Bytsenko, who dropped 34 points in the duel, couldn’t steal the spotlight from Batista’s monster night.

The win snapped Chery Tiggo’s skid and kept their quarterfinal dreams alive, improving to 2-4. It might not catapult them straight into the top tier yet, but it keeps their campaign breathing, now just a step behind Akari, Petro Gazz, and Capital1, all sitting at 3-3.

“We really needed this one,” Batista said, her relief obvious. “We’re not done fighting yet.”

Ara Galang backed her up with 11 points, while Shaya Adorador added seven, as the Crossovers matched the Solar Spikers’ 72 attacks. Chery Tiggo also made the most out of Capital1’s errors — 30 freebies compared to just 15 given away.

Capital1's Bella Belen (4) and Sasha Bytsenko (23). Photo: PVL Images.

Capital1 didn’t go quietly, though. Rookie Bella Belen had a breakout 22-point game, while Chel Austero added 11. But in the end, it was Batista’s night — a record-breaking reminder that when she’s in her zone, she’s practically unstoppable.

With that kind of firepower, Chery Tiggo isn’t just fighting for survival anymore. They’re making a statement.