MANILA, Philippines — Chery Tiggo reinstated Aaron Velez as head coach in its bid to reclaim the Open Conference crown it won two years ago in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Velez will try to bring the same magic he weaved in 2021 when the season-opening tournament, now called the All-Filipino Conference, unfolds Feb. 4 at the PhilSports Arena.
He took over from 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,” Chery Tiggo said 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 bank on a team that includes Reinforced Conference MVP Mylene Paat, Jasmine Nabor, EJ Laure, Cza Carandang, Buding Duremdes, Shaya Adorador and newly acquired Pongay Gaston.