End of the road for Chery Tiggo

Chery Tiggo pulled the plug on its volleyball program as the once roaring engine of the Crossovers officially came to a full stop after an 11-year run that produced three championships.

In a shocking development, the management announced the permanent parking of the Chery Tiggo franchise in a statement released on Tuesday.

“With heavy hearts, we announce the closing of the Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers’ chapter, after 11 unforgettable years in professional volleyball,” the team said.

A team insider earlier told DAILY TRIBUNE that the management had already informed the players, coaches and team staff about its departure on Monday — putting an end to its five-year run in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Chery Tiggo’s dismal 10th-place finish in the recently concluded Reinforced Conference turned out to be the team’s swan song.

The source said the reason given to the squad for its folding was due to the team’s “non-performance” of late.

Chery Tiggo’s first and only title in the PVL was in 2021 when Jaja Santiago-Minowa and Dindin Santiago-Manabat powered the Crossovers in copping the Open Conference title at the expense of Creamline, becoming the first-ever women’s champion in the professional rank.

However, Chery Tiggo declined in the following seasons, seeing key departures and coaching change.

Minowa decided to pursue a career in the Japan V.League and eventually switched nationality to Japanese. Manabat also left the fold in 2023.

EJ Laure and libero Buding Duremdes followed suit. The Crossovers also released another top star in Eya Laure last year in a controversial agreement to part ways.

Chery Tiggo also saw multiple coaching changes with Aaron Velez, Kungfu Reyes and Norman Miguel taking turns holding the reins.

After their 2021 Open Conference conquest, the Crossovers went on a downward spiral. They missed the podium in the next nine conferences before making a breakthrough in the inaugural 2025 PVL On Tour with a runner-up finish.

But Chery Tiggo again fell short of a podium with a fourth-place finish in the Invitational before a disappointing closure in their storied run.

The decision to disband will leave its 24-woman roster, led by Alas Pilipinas libero Jen Nierva, veterans Ara Galang, Mylene Paat, Ce Robles, Pauline Gaston and skipper Aby Marano, up for dispersal with just over a month before the 2026 All-Filipino Conference opens on 30 January.

Chery Tiggo started investing in its volleyball program back in 2014 under the Foton Tornadoes brand and won two titles in the defunct Philippine Superliga before transferring to the PVL in 2021.

The franchise represented the country twice in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in 2016 and 2017.

“From our beginnings as the Foton Tornadoes to our journey as the Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers, we celebrate the milestones: the championships, the talent we developed, and representing the Philippines on the biggest stage,” the team statement read.