Chery Tiggo Crossovers during during a 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — After an exodus at Chery Tiggo, Ara Galang led the team’s collective effort to eke out a come-from-behind win over the gritty Capital1 and jumpstart their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers were pushed to their limits right at the start of their post-Eya Laure era as they also missed key members Mylene Paat, Jen Nierva, and Jas Nabor leaving an undermanned team, which also lost EJ Laure and Buding Duremdes.
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But Galang and the Crossovers stuck to their collective effort to fight back from a 1-2 deficit before surviving the Solar Spikers, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11, on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
“That’s just how it is; some things go, and some things come. What’s important is that we work and gel as a team. That’s really it—just work together, support each other, and enjoy playing together,” said Galang, who unleashed 23 points built oin 18 kills, four blocks, and a game-winning ace.
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Cess Robles also stepped up with 12 points and 27 digs. Shaya Adorador chipped in 11 points. Aby Maraño and Daps Dapol had nine and eight points, respectively. Alina Bicar dished out 15 excellent sets, while rookie libero Karen Verdeflor protected the floor with 27 digs and six receptions.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ Ara Galang during a during a 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
“We’re always reminded to just enjoy the game. It’s great because we all work together; we’re not relying on just one person. The collective effort is really good, and we genuinely love what we’re doing and support each other,” said Galang.
The former La Salle MVP admitted they are still adjusting to the new roles and new system of coach Norman Miguel after suffering a slow start against the younger Solar Spikers.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo ready to play amid all manpower issues
“It’s great that we were able to recover one by one. We were able to feel each other out and seemed to be in sync. We just waited for Capital1 to take charge, but we’re the ones who should be setting the tone and pace,” said Galang.
Miguel, the former National University champion coach, relished his pro debut with Galang and Co., stressing that they need to keep working together in this six-month All-Filipino Conference.
“‘Yung nangyari sa team namin ayoko siyang sabihin din naman na baka mas nakabuti pa kasi nag-step up mga players pero ‘yun ‘yung iniinstill namin sa kanila na ‘yung team natin ma-ano as binubuhat ng isang player. Ang lagi naming sinasabi ay dapat lahat kayo magbubuhatan, hindi lang ‘yung isa o dalawa,” Miguel said.
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The new Chery Tiggo coach hopes to address their lapses from their winning debut and focus on the “technical skills” as they have more than a week before facing Cignal on November 21 at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.