Crossovers thriving on off-beat quality

A wave of key players leaving during the offseason and a coaching shakeup somehow served as a blessing in disguise for rebuilding Chery Tiggo.

Despite losing veteran winger EJ Laure, reliable libero Buding Duremdes and the controversial split with prized star Eya Laure, the Crossovers still managed to stay within the Top 4 of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

With just themselves to rely on, Cherry Tiggo holdovers stepped up and embraced their new roles under the guidance of head coach Norman Miguel, who replaced Kungfu Reyes at the reins.

The Crossovers closed the year with a 4-2 win-loss record capped by a five-set escape over a gritty Galeries Tower side.

“We’re doing well executing the plans of our coaches. They have prepared a great program for us,” Chery Tiggo veteran Pauline Gaston said.

Part of the Crossovers formula is to keep opponents guessing with their unpredictability. Unlike before when its offense is centered on Eya Laure, Chery Tiggo’s points are now well-spread.

“I think you’d also notice, that they’re not afraid to try different things, like in the third set (against the Highrisers) I played utility while Ate Ara (Galang) played outside,” Gaston said.

“There’s lots of gulat (surprise) factors because a lot of players are not afraid to go outside of their comfort zone with the help of our coaches. They push us beyond our limits,” she added.

“They always push us to do more and that will also help our overall development as a player because we want to improve and be better as a family.”

It’s an opportunity amid chaos so to speak.

Miguel, who steered the National University Lady Bulldogs in reclaiming the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 crown and the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals title, admits that working around a depleted roster is no easy task.

“Actually, even us coaches, are having a hard time. It gives us headaches all the time. It’s like we’re trying to solve mathematics equations like ‘Who should we field? Or will they work well together inside?’ But that’s how coaching a team. You’ll shuffle and tweak to see which will be effective,” Miguel said.

The Crossovers are playing sans injured starters former Most Valuable Player Mylene Paat and middle blocker Imee Hernandez and backup setter Joyme Cagande.