RATHER than dwelling on who aren’t there, Chery Tiggo head coach Kungfu Reyes would rather make the most of who’s available and ready to play for the title-seeking Crossovers.
READ: Chery Tiggo routs Farm Fresh in impressive PVL opener
The surprise exclusion of Chery Tiggo star duo Eya Laure and Jen Nierva from Alas Pilipinas’ 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup campaign has been the talk of the town for the last few months.
And as per PVL president Ricky Palou, it all came down to a lack of clarity on the terms and conditions set in the league and the national federation’s player-lending agreement — one actively being resolved by all parties involved.
Chery, still, on top
Their absences, however, didn’t seem to be a pressing concern — at least based on how opening day of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference went down for the Crossovers.
Chery Tiggo made quick work of a young Farm Fresh side through a scoring masterclass from its champion guest import Khat Bell with 24 points in just three sets.
Reflecting on a victorious first act, Reyes made it clear that the team’s priorities are set straight the rest of the way — making the most of its core at hand.
“Hindi kami naka-focus sa pagbabalik nila (Eya Laure at Jen Nierva). We’re focusing kung anong meron kami sa loob, especially itong core na ‘to,” the Crossovers mentor said.
“From Day One naman ng training, ‘yung shuffle ng team, ‘yung every rotation, lahat naman ng ginagawa namin is para sa lahat, especially sa mga wing spikers kasi ang dami nila. That’s a good problem for us.
“Again, itong nangyayari na ‘to sa laro, ito yung pina-practice lang din namin. So yung adjustments, little adjustments, mas madali para sa amin.”
No Crossover gap left unfilled
With Bell and the rest of the Crossovers’ array of spikers filling in Laure’s void, Nierva’s libero gap has also been covered quite nicely through the team’s one and only draft pick in ex-Adamson libero Karen Verdeflor.
Backing up mainstay Buding Duremdes on floor defense, Verdeflor had four receptions to her name in her PVL debut.
And for Reyes, she’s already been nothing short of a ‘Jen Nierva 2.0.’
“Since college days niya, very steady naman yung bata (Karen Verdeflor) talaga. That’s why du’n sa draft, swerte kami na umabot kami sa kanya. Nagulat din kami na walang kumukuha sa kanya kaya nagdasal kami na sana umabot. Luckily, kami ang nakakuha.
“Parang si Jen (Nierva) pa rin yung naglalaro eh. Kumbaga, ibang version lang pero yung stability ng ground defense namin, first ball namin, mas nagiging madali yung offense namin because of the good first ball. Du’n sa counter attack namin, maganda ‘yung depensa.
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