MANILA, Philippines – Chery Tiggo has reinstalled Aaron Velez as coach as it hopes to reclaim the crown in the Open Conference — now called All-Filipino Conference — it snared two years ago in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
In the forthcoming 2023 season-ushering tournament set February 4 at the PhilSports Arena, Velez will try to steer the same magic he weaved when he steered the Crossovers to the 2021 crown.
He took over Clarence Esteban, who handled the team last year.
“The experienced coach is returning to take the wheel and lead the Chery Tiggo Crossovers back to the top this coming Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference,” said the team in a statement.
But unlike in Bacarra, Velez will no longer have the luxury of having the mighty sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat — the former currently plying her trade in Japan and the latter bringing her act to rival team Akari.
Minus the siblings, Velez will have to do with team that included Reinforced Conference MVP Mylene Paat, Jasmine Nabor, EJ Laure, Cza Carandang, Buding Duremdes, Shaya Adorador and newly acquired Pongay Gaston.