SHAYA Adorador, one of the key spikers to fill in the big shoes left by Dindin Santiago-Manabat, is confident that Chery Tiggo can compete in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

“Hindi naman po kami binigyan ng pressure,” said Adorador, who went 15-of-32 attacks in the Crossovers’ season-opening 27-25, 25-19, 25-22 win over Cignal last Tuesday. “Ate Dindin Santiago pa rin iyan, hinding-hindi mo kayang palitan iyan.”

“Kung sino lang po yung nandiyan, talagang nagtrabaho lang kami as a team,” the University of the East product added.

Chery Tiggo returns to action at 4 p.m. today as it eyes to join Creamline on top the standings against debuting Army-Black Mamba.

One of the remaining remnants of the 2021 Open Conference champion team at the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte bubble, Adorador stressed that it will take a collective effort for them to match Santiago-Manabat’s contributions not just on the offense but also in terms of leadership.

“Si Ate Din, malaking part talaga siya sa loob ng court as a leader, as an ate,” Adorador said. “Kailangan din na parang kung ano yung ngayon, yun lang yung titingnan namin.”

“Basta maglaro lang kami as one, yun lang yung goal namin,” she added. “One game at a time talaga.”

Aside from Adorador, who had a team-high 16 points, Mylene Paat (15) and EJ Laure (13) reached double digit scoring for the Crossovers, giving returning coach Aaron Velez a winning start.

Santiago-Manabat, for her part, hopes to get the needed support and better communication from other Akari players as coach Jorge Edson de Brito’s side take on F2 Logistics at 6:30 p.m.

The Cargo Movers are also eyeing to level with the Cool Smashers at 2-0. F2 Logistics gave new coach Regine Diego a winning debut following last Tuesday’s 25-22, 25-21, 14-25, 20-25, 16-14 win over PLDT.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado