Driving force — Chery Tiggo taps Maraño, Galang

Expect nothing less from grizzled veterans Aby Maraño and Ara Galang when they suit up for new team Chery Tiggo in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League.

The former F2 Logistics duo was formally introduced by the Crossovers as their latest additions in a thrilling recruitment coup ahead of the
yet-to-be-determined season-opening tournament kicking off on 17 February.

Chery Tiggo bared the signing of Galang in its social media post early Tuesday morning, 2 January, before announcing Maraño's acquisition in the afternoon.

Known for her tenacity and unquestionable leadership, Maraño vows to bring her signature "beast-mode-don't -care mantra" to help the Crossovers get back to their former glory.

"They've (the fans) known me as a player with a very big heart. Very passionate, vocal, and a leader, so I want them to expect that from me. I'll bring all that to Chery Tiggo," the 31-year-old many-time Best Middle Blocker winner said.

The former national team skipper will offer her experience and provide stability to the club with her maturity as a known leader.

A vital cog of the Cargo Movers' five titles in the defunct Philippine Superliga and has under her belt numerous international stints, Maraño would be a great help in Chery Tiggo's quest to end a two-year podium drought since its 2021 Open Conference title conquest.

The Crossovers need Maraño's intimidating presence and energy at the net with young middle blocker Imee Hernandez's status still uncertain after suffering an injury last season.

Maraño, who averaged 6.3 points per game in F2 Logistics' farewell campaign in the PVL in the 2nd
All-Filipino Conference will be joining Cza Carandang and Pauline Gaston at the middle spot.

It will also serve as a reunion for Maraño and former national squad teammates Eya Laure Mylene Paat, Jasmine Nabor, Shaya Adorador and Jen Nierva.

"Actually, I'm really excited to be a part of Chery Tiggo. Parang 'pag nagda-drive ka lang di'ba, parang ang sarap umarangkada kasama ang Chery," the two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player said.

"At the same time, I've already played with some Chery Tiggo players in the national team like Mylene Paat, Jasmine Nabor, si Shaya, Eya and Nierva. So, I'm really excited to be working with these players."

Galang, on the other hand, will add more firepower for the Crossovers in the wing spot along with Paat, Laure sisters EJ and Eya, Cess Robles and Adorador.

The 28-year-old open spiker, who was named Invitational Conference MVP in the defunct Philippine Superliga in 2018, averaged 11 points per game including 0.34 aces per game in her final stint with the Cargo Movers in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference last year.

Galang, a former UAAP MVP for De La Salle University, would also be a big help for Chery Tiggo on floor defense with an impressive 43.72 percent reception efficiency last conference, landing at second spot behind Nierva (52.58) percent.

"As always, I'm going all-out for my new club. So, I'll give my best in every training, every game, every day. I'll do everything I contribute and help the team," Galang said.

The winger is also stoked about stepping out of her comfort zone and spreading her wings with a new team after spending her club career with F2 Logistics since 2016.

"I'm very thankful I got this opportunity to play for Chery, and super excited because this is the first time I get to play with new teammates. I just know a few Chery players like Buding (Duremdes) and Mylene. Now I'm excited to work and play with the younger players," she added.

Maraño and Galang were the latest F2 Logistics players to find a new home after libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig joined Cignal and Ivy Lacsina transferred to Nxled last month.

The Cargo Movers withdrew from the league citing the management's decision to focus its support at the grassroots level.

"Hopefully, we'll achieve our goal. We will try our best and work hard to give a really, really great fight. We'll fight for Chery," Maraño vowed.