CHERY Tiggo got the needed veteran presence as it signed both Aby Maraño and Ara Galang for the new season of the Premier Volleyball League which begins next month.

The decorated La Salle duo were previously part of F2 Logistics, which disbanded last month, as their acquisition were announced by the club yesterday.

Maraño and Galang can’t wait to open a new chapter in their careers with the Crossovers, who failed to reach the podium in all the three conferences last year.

“Actually, nae-excite talaga ako to be a part of Chery Tiggo, parang ‘pag nagda-drive ka lang di’ba, parang ang sarap umarangkada kasama ang Chery,” said the 31-year-old Maraño.

As the Crossovers are waiting to have young middle blocker Imee Hernandez back from a knee injury she sustained last conference, Maraño will boost their frontline along with Cza Carandang and Pauline Gaston.

Galang will give Crossovers an additional firepower along with sisters Eya and EJ Laure, Mylene Paat, Cess Robles and Shaya Adorador.

“I’m very thankful kasi may opportunity na ganito na maglaro sa Chery, and super excited din kasi unang-una, first time ko lang din (may) makasamang iba talaga, so pumunta ako sa team na wala gaanong kakilala, and ‘yun, thankful ako na kasabay at kasama ko si Tyang,” said the 28-year-old Galang.

For Maraño, she already knows the core of the team having played with them in the national team.

“At the same time, ‘yung mga players kasi from Chery, nakasama ko na sila from the national team — especially sina Mylene Paat, si Jasmine Nabor, si Shaya (Adorador), si Eya (Laure), (Jen) Nierva, and a lot more. So excited ako to be working with these players,” Maraño said.

Maraño vowed to give her all in helping give the Crossovers their first title since the 2021 Open Conference.

“They’ve (the fans) known me as a player with a very big heart. Very passionate, vocal, and a leader, so I want them to expect that from me. Going to Chery Tiggo, dadalhin ko lahat ‘yun,” said Maraño.

Coming off her best performance in the Second All-Filipino Conference, Galang promised to bring her A-game to the Crossovers.

“All-out naman ako lagi, so ibibigay ko yung best ko every training, every game, every day. Gagawin ko lang lahat ng makakaya ko para makacontribute, makatulong sa team,” said Galang.

Ex-F2 Logistics teammates Ivy Lacsina, Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Ethan Arce have also signed with other teams.

Before the New Year holidays, Lacsina went to Nxled while Macandili-Catindig inked a three-year pact with Cignal.

Arce, who was used sparingly in F2 Logistics, has joined PetroGazz, the club announced yesterday afternoon.